Women's Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) is hosting a week of trades exploration workshops for women in partnership with UNIFOR Local 444.
WEST is currently recruiting new participants to join the Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship Program, the Construction and Craft Trades Program, and the CNC/Industrial Mechanic Millwright Pre-Apprenticeship Program for women.
During these sessions, participants will have the opportunity to meet other women from the Skilled Trades, participate in various hands-on activities to explore their interests, hear from industry experts, and learn about various career pathways in the skilled trades sectors.
The workshops will take place from April 24-28 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at UNIFOR Local 444 Office, 1855 Turner Road, Windsor. Interested applicants are asked to register in advanced, although they will accept walk-ins on the day of.
Gurpreet Chana, Programs Manager, WEST says these workshops are a perfect way for those interested to get a hands on look into the trades.
"So these workshops kind of help them set the stage, get to know the information, help them make the decision and know all aspects before entering into a full-time commitment. We have been doing this every year for the past 9 years."
Chana says they are anticipating about 50 women to come and participate in the workshops, "From the 50 women we will be selecting 20 participants for our electrical pre-apprenticeship program, which is set to start on May 8," she said. "And another intake of the construction program will be starting on May 29. 18 women will be accepted to that program."
Chana adds the workshops would not be possible without support from the government.
"We thank our funder the Government of Canada. These programs are offered in partnership with the Government of Canada and Government of Ontario. So I want to really highlight the continuous and ongoing support of our funders."
In 2023, WEST marked the milestone of helping 260 women gain technical skills and the empowerment to pursue careers in the Skilled Trades through its training programs.
-With files from AM800's Rob Hindi