About the Centre
News/Media

For Immediate Release

September 18, 2008

Skilled trades program builds new career
opportunities for women

Burlington, ON: Four students in the Women in Skilled Trades program were recognized with scholarships at an event held today in the newly renovated construction shop at The Centre for Skills Development & Training. The scholarships recognize leadership characteristics and the willingness of these women to be ambassadors for women in skilled trades, and were sponsored by ATHENA Oakville and RESCON (Residential Construction Council of Central Ontario).

“I would like to congratulate this year’s scholarship winners on this wonderful achievement—they are all exceptionally talented women,” said Kathy Mills, The Centre’s Chief Administrative Officer. “The Women in Skilled Trades program is one way that The Centre can help women like our scholarship winners train for successful careers in the trades. We also support local companies by fostering a highly skilled workforce that can keep their businesses running strong.”

Kim Dobson, one of the scholarship winners, started out without a career focus or full appreciation of her skills. After completing the Get in Gear program at The Centre, she was able to identify her true passion—the electrical trade. Dobson enrolled in the Women in Skilled Trades program at The Centre to help turn her passion into a career. She will soon embark on an apprenticeship with Kennedy Electric, and is well on the way to her dream career.

The four scholarship winners are: Kim Dobson of St. Catharines (ATHENA Scholarship Award); Betty-May Evans of Mississauga (ATHENA Scholarship Award); Linda Just of Orangeville (ATHENA Scholarship Award); and Trina Burton of Hamilton (RESCON Scholarship Award).

“There's a real need for trades people and real opportunity for women to make their mark in the trades,” said Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues Deb Matthews. “The support from ATHENA and RESCON through their awards is a great way for the community to encourage students to pursue their goals. My congratulations to this year’s award recipients.”

“ATHENA Oakville is proud to support this year’s Women in Skilled Trades scholarship winners,” said Cindy Popp, Co-Chair, ATHENA Oakville Scholarship Committee. “Today’s scholarship winners can help enable other women to empower themselves and achieve their goals in a rewarding career.” ATHENA Oakville aims to inspire women to reach their full potential, and celebrates leaders in the community.

The Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) program, a tuition-paid program for 20 participants, trains women for careers in the construction industry with 30 weeks of in-class/on-site instruction and a 16-week work placement. Following graduation, women can enter a variety of apprenticeships and positions in new home construction, renovation work, and management. WIST is offered by The Centre for Skills Development & Training in partnership with RESCON and The Government of Ontario.

For more information about the Women in Skilled Trades Program, visit www.thecentre.on.ca or call 905-333-3499, ext. 121. The Centre for Skills Development & Training is a leading provider of quality career and workforce development programs, products and services specializing in Pre-Apprenticeship Trades and Technology, Career Planning and Development and Language Skills and Academic Upgrading. The Centre offers its programs at locations in Burlington, Georgetown, Malton, Milton, Mississauga and Oakville. For more information, visit www.thecentre.on.ca.

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Pictured in The Centre’s newly renovated construction shop at the Women in Skilled Trades open house are: Wayne Joudrie, Chair & President of The Centre for Skills Development and Director of Education, Halton District School Board; Cindy Popp, Co-Chair, ATHENA Oakville Scholarship Committee; Trina Burton of Hamilton (RESCON Scholarship Award); Kim Dobson of St. Catharines (ATHENA Scholarship Award); Betty-May Evans of Mississauga (ATHENA Scholarship Award); Linda Just of Orangeville (ATHENA Scholarship Award); Leeanna Pendergast, Parliamentary Assistant to Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues Deb Matthews; and Burlington Mayor Cam Jackson.

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Backgrounder follows. Photo available on request.

Contact: Nancy Moore, Senior Programs Manager
The Centre for Skills Development & Training
905-333-3499, ext. 110 | mooren@thecentre.on.ca

Alternate Contact: Maria McDonald, Manager, Communications
The Centre for Skills Development & Training
905-333-3499 ext. 135 | mcdonaldm@thecentre.on.ca

Backgrounder: Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) scholarship winners

RESCON Scholarship Award

Trina Burton
Hamilton, Ontario

Trina came into the Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) program with two years’ experience working on custom-homes building in the Grey-Bruce area, and as a volunteer for a general contractor and crew. Having participated in all stages of the home building process, Trina never felt limited expectations of her abilities and was proud of her high quality of workmanship. The WIST program offered Trina an opportunity to learn even more and gain additional hands-on experience, which she has demonstrated with her excellent technical and academic abilities. Trina’s fellow students commend her for her “positive outlook on life,” her “passion to succeed,” and the way in which “she constantly encourages and motivates her peers to do their best … constantly putting others before herself while still meeting deadlines.” Trina demonstrates excellent leadership qualities, and her instructors appreciate that Trina “volunteers (to take on) daily housekeeping tasks without being asked.” Trina aspires to be a leader with a career in building houses that are Energy Star qualified; using alternative energy sources with a positive impact on our environment is her passion.

ATHENA Scholarship Awards

Kim Dobson
St. Catharines, Ontario

According to her instructors, Kim has excelled in the WIST program “to master the academic material and the hands-on skills, and it shows in both her marks and her finished projects.” Starting out in The Centre’s Get in Gear program, Kim found her passion for the electrical trade, graduating at the top of this class in the electrical portion of the program. So much so, should she be successful in receiving this award, Kim plans to put it towards tools for the electrical apprenticeship she will enter with Kennedy Electric, a valued supporter of the WIST program for the past few years. A classmate commends Kim as “a wonderful source of support to other classmates and … a great role model of what women are striving to achieve in the industry.” Kim learns and adapts quickly, and is a hard worker. One classmate describes Kim as “a force of encouragement and motivation for all.”

Betty-May Evans
Mississauga, Ontario

Betty-May was so determined to enter and excel in the WIST program, she spoke with former students, arranged for a part-time job to help with day-care costs, and even studied the course curriculum, all in advance of her actual enrolment in this year’s program. In addition to excellent academic achievement, Betty-May technical ability is also outstanding. “I am proud to point to something that I have built and say, ‘Do you see that? I made it’!” While she enjoys helping out by sharing her knowledge with classmates, Betty-May also considers herself a “teachable spirit,” who appreciates the guidance and support of others when mastering a new skill. Her instructors concur, complementing Betty-May’s work ethic, mastery of tools, positive attitude and total commitment to the program. Although Betty struggled to “discover what I want to be when I grow up,” she is considered by her instructors to be “a wonderful ambassador for women in the trades (who) will be successful in any job she is hired to do.”

Linda Just
Orangeville, Ontario

Even if she had not been awarded the WIST Scholarship, Linda is grateful for the tremendous opportunity she feels she has already received simply by participating in the WIST program itself. She plans to work in the field of renovations. Linda drives from Orangeville each day, arriving early, and has never missed a class. She balances classes with landscaping work she does on evenings and weekends. With a positive attitude, Linda gets along well with students and instructors alike. Linda learns new skills quickly, and she is adept at taking on a leadership role to teach and explain these new skills to her classmates. Her instructors are impressed with her skills as “a fantastic ambassador for the program and women in the trades… (Linda) is not afraid to talk to groups and schools about the program and having young women understand that the trades are an excellent opportunity for women.”

For more information about the Women in Skilled Trades Program, call 905-333-3499, ext.121, email trades@thecentre.on.ca or visit www.thecentre/on/ca/PreApprenticeship/WomenInSkilledTrades.asp.

The Centre for Skills Development & Training is a leading provider of quality career and workforce development programs, products and services specializing in Pre-Apprenticeship Trades and Technology, Career Planning and Development and Language Skills and Academic Upgrading.