Women in Nuclear - WiN Canada

A great evening had by all on Thursday, May 7, 2009 in Saint John, NB when Skills Canada New Brunswick hosted its first Skills Work®! For Women Networking Dinner. The major sponsors of this event were NB Power, WiN-NB and IBEW Local 37. Other sponsors came from a variety of community organizations.

With just over 100 students in attendance and 22 mentors represented, energy filled the air. Some of the careers highlighted were welders, pipe fitters, nuclear operators, nuclear response force, electricians and chemical technicians. Also in attendance were several guests representing the sponsored companies, deputy ministers of the Department of Energy and Wage Gap, teachers, councillors and parents. The closing guest speaker was Cheryl Cottrill, Executive Director of WiN Canada who inspired us with thoughts on how the young women present could leave with informed choices on what trades and technologies have to offer.

There were several media outputs about the event with articles in the paper including two WiN-NB members speaking on CBC radio. In addition, a FUSION columnist with Telegraph Journal attended the event.

This was the first inaugural event for Skills Canada New Brunswick and with the positive feedback and overwhelming response, will definitely not be the last. The planning committee intends to discuss a mentoring program for those students that identified an interest and as a result of the dinner, a local WITT group may be starting.

Skills Canada New Brunswick is a not-for-profit organization devoted to the promotion of the career possibilities in the trades and technologies. A misunderstanding of the value of careers in trades and technologies inhibits many young Canadians from considering these types of career options. Through provincial Olympic-style competitions & Skills Work®! For Women Networking Dinner, Skills Canada NB helps make these occupations more visible for teachers, youth, parents, industry and the general public.

Students find out how easy it is to bend pipe.

The organizing committee of the Networking Dinner