Women in Nuclear - WiN Canada

Great jobs await those who choose a career in the skilled trades was the overall theme heard by 84 female secondary school students at the 5th Annual Skills Work for Women Networking Dinner in Port Elgin on Tuesday, November 1st.

The dinner sponsored by Women in Nuclear (WiN) – Bruce, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and Passport to Prosperity brought together students and teachers from Bruce and Grey counties with successful female mentors who shared stories about a day-in-the-life of their chosen career. Dave Trumble from the Bruce-Grey Labour Board provided inspiring opening remarks telling the students that all the labour boards are in support of encouraging more women into skilled labour.

WiN-Bruce mentors Heidi Romanishen, Boilermaker, Michelle Smith, Electrician, Diane Williams, Millwright, Alycia Van Beusekom, Electrician, Annette Nisbett, Ironworker, Lisa McGreery, Ironworker, Deb Maclay, Machinist, and Wendy Huys, Authorized Nuclear Operator who all inspired the students to consider the skilled trades as a first choice career option. A total of 20 successful female mentors shared their career stories in the Industrial, Construction, Service, Transportation, Automotive and Technologies sectors.

Norm Sawyer, Bruce Power Chief Nuclear Officer, was a guest at the event and said, “I was very impressed with the energy in the room all evening. These young ladies were given a great opportunity to listen to a number of experienced tradeswomen. Of particular interest to me were the individuals who spoke of their experiences at Bruce Power, what great ambassadors they are for us.”

The students visiting each group of mentors heard reoccurring themes, ‘the skills were just skills not masculine skills, if you liked being creative and working with your hands the skilled trades were for you and well paid careers await those who choose the skilled trades.’ The shortage of workers in the skilled trades was highlighted by all mentors.

Wendy Huys (centre) speaks to the students about a day-in-the-life of her career as an Authorized Nuclear Operator at Bruce Power.

Ken Ellis, Bruce Power Chief Nuclear Officer, also a guest at the event said, “The passion, pride of accomplishment and enjoyment of their chosen careers was palatable when the various mentors spoke to the young high school girls. Their messages were well received and all the mentors were great ambassadors for WiN and promotion of the trades for women."

Cheryl Cottrill, Executive Director of WiN-Canada provided closing remarks encouraging the students to look at the skilled trades and technologies as a viable career option.

Ken Ellis, CNO, Diane Williams, Millwright, Heidi Romanishen, Boilermaker, Deb Maclay, Machinist, Annette Nisbett, Ironworker, Michelle Smith, Electrician and Norm Sawyer, CNO, all from Bruce Power. Missing from the photo was Wendy Huys, Authorized Nuclear Operator, Alycia van Beusekom, Electrician, and Lisa McGreery, Ironworker.

Many thanks to our many sponsors for donating door prizes for the dinner:

Power Workers' Union

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

Tomboy Tools

Passport to Prosperity

Hobarts Welders

Hanover Chrysler

Wendy Huys

Bruce Power.

Skills/Compétences Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies to Canadian youth. For more information visit http://www.skillscanada.com.