Claire Ryan’s latest FUSION Saint John article appeared in today’s Telegraph-Journal:
Last Thursday FUSION had the opportunity to reach out to potential members at a unique event. The Skills Work for Women networking dinner gave young women from Greater Saint John high schools a chance to learn about skilled trades, and discuss career opportunities with women already working in various fields.
More than 100 students participated in small group sessions led by the 22 mentors. This event provided a platform for mentors to answer questions, debunk misconceptions and offer advice about pursuing a career in the trades.
A FUSION information table joined other representatives, including NB Power, the New Brunswick Age Gap Reduction Initiative, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 37 and lead sponsor Skills Canada New Brunswick.
At first glance, the FUSION table may have seemed unusual, but having a presence at the event was beneficial for both FUSION and those who stopped by to learn more. FUSION is constantly looking for ways to engage new members, including students and tradespeople; meanwhile, the information FUSION shared gave attendees (students, their parents and mentors alike) a sense of the many community engagement opportunities that exist in the city.
“Many people choose a particular community for employment opportunities, but decide to stay because of the quality of life,” says Sarah Craig, a workforce development officer with Enterprise Saint John and FUSION board member. Craig worked on co-ordinating the event and felt FUSION representation would be of value.
“Having a FUSION presence helped us to present a more holistic perspective of the community, and what it has to offer to the people who choose to stay here to work.”
For welder and mentor Shelley Dougherty, a networking event specifically for female high school students interested in the trades is overdue in Saint John.
She is one of the approximately dozen female members of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 213 800-plus membership and their only female welder.
“We’re behind the other provinces,” Dougherty said of the low number of females in the skilled trades in New Brunswick. “Girls are not encouraged to look into trades and go that route, so we’re not getting as many women even though there’s opportunity to work here.”
In her discussion with the students, she helped clarify the details surrounding education, apprenticeships, unions and employment.
“There is such a wide variety of trades and well-paid opportunities out there,” Dougherty said.
“But there is also a lack of knowledge about the trades and how apprenticeships work; I hope we were able to clear up some of the confusion.”
FUSION’s rationale for engaging students at the high school and university level is not that different from the businesses and professional associations.
The purpose of the Skills Work for Women networking dinner was to encourage female high school students to learn more about opportunities in the trades.
By giving students a full slate of options – in terms of education, professions and community engagement, they are getting a clearer picture of the advantages of living and working in New Brunswick.
Claire Ryan works with MT&L Public Relations Ltd. and is a member of the FUSION Saint John board. Her column appears on Tuesdays. She can be reached at cryan@mtlpr.ca.
