Young girls are learning carpentry and welding during a week-long camp at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Moose Jaw campus [1].
The initiative aims to bridge the gender gap in skilled trades by providing hands-on exposure to STEM careers. By introducing these technical skills early, organizers hope to foster long-term determination and confidence in female students.
The program is organized by Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Women in Trades and Technology (WITT) [1]. Participants spend one week [1] engaging with various trade tools and techniques. The curriculum focuses on providing a supportive environment where girls can experiment with industrial equipment, and construction methods without the pressure of a traditional classroom setting.
Activities at the Moose Jaw campus include practical lessons in welding and carpentry [2]. These sessions are designed to demystify the tools of the trade and show participants that technical careers are accessible to them. The camp emphasizes the development of soft skills alongside technical ability, specifically targeting the growth of self-assurance and resilience.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic uses the WITT program to highlight the availability of skilled trade paths in the region [2]. By targeting young girls, the institution seeks to build a more diverse pipeline of future technicians and craftspeople. The camp serves as an introductory gateway to further education and certification in the trades.
“Young girls are learning carpentry and welding during a week-long camp.”
This program reflects a broader strategic effort to address labor shortages in the skilled trades by diversifying the workforce. By targeting young girls before they reach high school elective age, the institution is attempting to disrupt traditional gender stereotypes associated with industrial labor and STEM, potentially increasing the future enrollment of women in polytechnic certifications.
