Eight local high school students got behind the wheel of heavy machinery and stepped into the welding bay as part of an initiative to introduce young women to non-traditional career paths.
The second annual Young Women in Trades workshop, hosted by the County of Stettler in partnership with the Clearview Public Schools & CAREERS: Next Generation, gave students hands-on experience in jobs that may not come to mind.
Over the course of the two day event, which wrapped up on Friday, May 15, students cycled through stations at the Heartland Regional Fire Department and the County of Stettler public works shop.
Students had a chance to see the fire department up close & change tires, try out welding, and operate heavy equipment.
“We eliminated classroom learning portions and put them directly into the equipment and into the mechanic bay and into the welding bay so they can experience the on-the-job learning that we would expect for an apprentice,” said Cara McKenzie, Assistant Director of Operations for the County of Stettler.
“It’s fun to highlight the work that we’re doing and be able to share our passion for the jobs.”
Hometown Media Stettler was invited for a tour of the workshop alongside Clearview Public School trustees & Stettler County council members.
Click below to watch a video re-cap of the tour:
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
