Education/training
Program helps women enter the skilled tradesShe's one of just a couple of female tradespeople on a job site of about 70, but that doesn't bother Brandi Ferenc. She's pleased to be pursuing her lifelong dream, loves working hard and hopes other females will follow in her footsteps. LINDA WHITE |
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 [ 2006-06-07 ] |
"When I went to high school, girls weren't encouraged to go into the trades. Though my father and brother both work in the trades as electricians, I never thought I could, too. I hope other girls know they can do this. My dad was flabbergasted when I told him I was pursuing a career in the trades. I don't think he ever thought he'd sit down and talk about power tools with his daughter."
Ferenc, 33, had taken university and college courses after high school and worked as a waitress for more than a decade. Over the years, she tried to get hired as a skilled trade apprentice. "Because I had no experience and probably because I'm a female, I didn't have any luck."
That changed when she learned about the Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) carpentry program offered at Conestoga College. "There is room for women in the industry," says Leigh Ferguson, a career counsellor at the college.
"Unfortunately, they don't have the opportunity for entry-level positions because they tend not to be the people contractors hire. They don't get the same opportunity to break into the trades as men."
The program is 40 weeks long and includes a 10-week work placement. In addition to the same training first-year apprentices receive, students complete 22 weeks of "upfront programming."
"Typically, apprentices would have a year on the job before training," Ferguson says. "The 22 weeks of upfront programming is meant to bridge that gap."
Students learn such things as the safe use of power tools and some plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation and air conditioning skills. They also tackle some interior and exterior renovations.
For Ferenc, the program gave her the skills and confidence she needed to pursue her dreams. "There was a wide range of age, experience levels and goals. I found the program challenging. The groups were well balanced and we learned from one another."
Ferenc completed her co-op placement with Lan Cam Inc. and landed a job there. She tackled bathroom renovations, laid ceramic tile and installed vinyl siding, roofing, shingles and interior and exterior doors. She also did basic electrical and plumbing and recently completed the first part of her gas technician licence.
"VALUABLE EXPERIENCE"
"It was the most valuable experience I could ask for," Ferenc says. She has since moved on to begin a plumbing apprenticeship with J. Orell, a commercial-industrial company. "I'm so happy I got this chance," she says. "I've gotten lots of encouragement and hope to see more girls out there."
This fall, Conestoga will move its WIST program from its Guelph campus to a site in Waterloo, along with other skilled trades programs. Its WIST program was named Ontario's outstanding technical co-operative education program in the college sector last year by the Yves Landry Foundation. To learn more, visit www.conestogac.on.ca.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN
Conestoga College will receive nearly $260,000 to provide continued opportunities for women to pursue education related to entering careers in the skilled trades. It will be used to deliver a general carpentry program.
The funding is from the Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) program, administered by the Ontario Women's Directorate. It's part of a total of $1.5 million that will go towards WIST projects and initiatives throughout the province.
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