The SIB Network
Monday, January 26, 2009
Women carrying a tool box
Published Monday January 26th, 2009
Entering the workforce offers a different lifestyle from that of a student and there are many things for a student to consider. From finding the right job to thriving for success, knowing what to expect can help a student prepare for that dream job. Some students will decide to go to university, others trades school, some college and some of the more risky, adventurous types might enter into the world of entrepreneurship. Some may decide to stay or go directly into the workforce. Whatever, the choice, it is a decision that will affect a young person for the rest of their lives.
In 1982, I started my studies at Université de Moncton in a full year immersion program. I continued my studies in this university's special education program and later enrolled in a Linguistics and French Literature Program at St. Thomas University. Like the old saying goes, I wish I knew then what I know now. Although my past education has opened many doors for me, I am recognizing the importance of delivering mentorship to our youth. Our young adolescents were born into a state-of-the-art of computers and equipment allowing for them to have access to all that is taking place in the world. There are endless opportunities available to our youth however are we over-estimating their ability to choose what is exactly right for them with some many choices at hand?
I have two children in high school that know the importance of a higher education. They have often expressed their concerns of making the right decision to their career choice. It can be a fearful decision! We all want the best for our children, however we must understand not everyone is cut out for university. This doesn't mean that high school is the end for them. Today, all across Canada there is a high demand for skilled tradesmen. The skill trade shortage has affected every province in Canada at some level. It is said that by 2010, nearly one million jobs will become available due to the baby boom retirement and this number will continue to grow until the year 2020. The head of Canada's construction association says that over a quarter of a million construction jobs need to be filled over the next eight years. Hopefully, having foreign workers to fill our trade labour gaps is only seen as a short term solution.
Today, I am focusing on women who may want to choose a career in skilled trades. The sectors of skilled trades are sectors that offer quality jobs with decent salaries and opportunity for advancement. Carpenters, mechanics, welders, pipefitters and other skilled trades are required to build our roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and other infrastructures that keep our economy growing and our country strong. I encourage women who want to be part of this growth to consider apprenticeship programs. Strong English and Math skills will emphasis and raise your chances of success in anything you choose to do. Companies look for those with strong communication and analytical skills to be front runners in their businesses and almost all trades demand some mathematical skills. Skilled Canadian tradesmen and "women" literally built this country. They are the unsung heroes of our economy. It is this group of people who build our homes, factories, mills and power plants. They cut our hair, bake our bread, and prepare our meals when we dine out. They repair our TV's, fix our vehicles, and solve our plumbing problems.
Our government has launched several initiatives to address Canada's skilled labor shortage by supporting apprenticeship programs. Choosing a skilled tradesmen career may open an unexpected door. If you are one of those people who have entrepreneur qualities, skills and personality traits, the chosen career of skilled trades may lead you to one day of owing your own business. Females are becoming more and more the front runners in leading businesses and entrepreneurship is no stranger to this gender! The industry of skilled trades may have been dominated by men but look-out because women in skilled trades industries are on the rise.
Women-centered initiatives of apprenticeship programs have worked in the past and will work again with proper training and a government support program. Stopping in mid-stream of moving to the next level with past initiatives will not help close the gaps in existing skilled trade's shortages. We must continue to find ways to implement comprehensive strategy aimed at women's training and direct job placement upon competition. High school vocational programs were taken away and it may be time to consider the re-instatement of these programs as today, it is evident that they have attracted many to continue in offered apprenticeship programs.
The discrimination against women in skilled trade positions has actually diminished some in recent years. More women are required in this workforce and their roles are seen as vital and essential ones. Without them our shortage would be 4 per cent greater across this nation. Do the math! Twenty years from now many of our baby boomers are set to retire leaving the conveyor belt of youth in too small of a number to replace them. We are only feeling a bit of what we will actually feel in years to come should we not address the issue of skilled trade shortages. Let's be smart in one other areas of having all put together. Miramichi'ers may very well also be the leader when it comes to women and trades. Our roles as men and women are not being reversed. We are merely respecting each other's personal interest in the workforce!
Women will carry the same tool box as any man, however in her tool box, she will always carry her strong personality, her long level of confidence, her ruler of time management skills and good listening skills and most importantly her hammer that will allow her to nail away at all barriers that prevent her from being her best in the construction trade industry.
Kim Drisdelle will offer her take on various issues related to the workforce from a woman's perspective
http://miramichileader.canadaeast.com/community/article/551229
Entering the workforce offers a different lifestyle from that of a student and there are many things for a student to consider. From finding the right job to thriving for success, knowing what to expect can help a student prepare for that dream job. Some students will decide to go to university, others trades school, some college and some of the more risky, adventurous types might enter into the world of entrepreneurship. Some may decide to stay or go directly into the workforce. Whatever, the choice, it is a decision that will affect a young person for the rest of their lives.
In 1982, I started my studies at Université de Moncton in a full year immersion program. I continued my studies in this university's special education program and later enrolled in a Linguistics and French Literature Program at St. Thomas University. Like the old saying goes, I wish I knew then what I know now. Although my past education has opened many doors for me, I am recognizing the importance of delivering mentorship to our youth. Our young adolescents were born into a state-of-the-art of computers and equipment allowing for them to have access to all that is taking place in the world. There are endless opportunities available to our youth however are we over-estimating their ability to choose what is exactly right for them with some many choices at hand?
I have two children in high school that know the importance of a higher education. They have often expressed their concerns of making the right decision to their career choice. It can be a fearful decision! We all want the best for our children, however we must understand not everyone is cut out for university. This doesn't mean that high school is the end for them. Today, all across Canada there is a high demand for skilled tradesmen. The skill trade shortage has affected every province in Canada at some level. It is said that by 2010, nearly one million jobs will become available due to the baby boom retirement and this number will continue to grow until the year 2020. The head of Canada's construction association says that over a quarter of a million construction jobs need to be filled over the next eight years. Hopefully, having foreign workers to fill our trade labour gaps is only seen as a short term solution.
Today, I am focusing on women who may want to choose a career in skilled trades. The sectors of skilled trades are sectors that offer quality jobs with decent salaries and opportunity for advancement. Carpenters, mechanics, welders, pipefitters and other skilled trades are required to build our roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and other infrastructures that keep our economy growing and our country strong. I encourage women who want to be part of this growth to consider apprenticeship programs. Strong English and Math skills will emphasis and raise your chances of success in anything you choose to do. Companies look for those with strong communication and analytical skills to be front runners in their businesses and almost all trades demand some mathematical skills. Skilled Canadian tradesmen and "women" literally built this country. They are the unsung heroes of our economy. It is this group of people who build our homes, factories, mills and power plants. They cut our hair, bake our bread, and prepare our meals when we dine out. They repair our TV's, fix our vehicles, and solve our plumbing problems.
Our government has launched several initiatives to address Canada's skilled labor shortage by supporting apprenticeship programs. Choosing a skilled tradesmen career may open an unexpected door. If you are one of those people who have entrepreneur qualities, skills and personality traits, the chosen career of skilled trades may lead you to one day of owing your own business. Females are becoming more and more the front runners in leading businesses and entrepreneurship is no stranger to this gender! The industry of skilled trades may have been dominated by men but look-out because women in skilled trades industries are on the rise.
Women-centered initiatives of apprenticeship programs have worked in the past and will work again with proper training and a government support program. Stopping in mid-stream of moving to the next level with past initiatives will not help close the gaps in existing skilled trade's shortages. We must continue to find ways to implement comprehensive strategy aimed at women's training and direct job placement upon competition. High school vocational programs were taken away and it may be time to consider the re-instatement of these programs as today, it is evident that they have attracted many to continue in offered apprenticeship programs.
The discrimination against women in skilled trade positions has actually diminished some in recent years. More women are required in this workforce and their roles are seen as vital and essential ones. Without them our shortage would be 4 per cent greater across this nation. Do the math! Twenty years from now many of our baby boomers are set to retire leaving the conveyor belt of youth in too small of a number to replace them. We are only feeling a bit of what we will actually feel in years to come should we not address the issue of skilled trade shortages. Let's be smart in one other areas of having all put together. Miramichi'ers may very well also be the leader when it comes to women and trades. Our roles as men and women are not being reversed. We are merely respecting each other's personal interest in the workforce!
Women will carry the same tool box as any man, however in her tool box, she will always carry her strong personality, her long level of confidence, her ruler of time management skills and good listening skills and most importantly her hammer that will allow her to nail away at all barriers that prevent her from being her best in the construction trade industry.
Kim Drisdelle will offer her take on various issues related to the workforce from a woman's perspective
http://miramichileader.canadaeast.com/community/article/551229
Labels: "The SIB Network", "women in non-traditional careers", "women in the skilled trades"
posted by Sisters In The Brotherhood at 1:31 PM
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