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Breaking down barriers to a world of skilled trades

Published: July 19, 2022

Young Women in Trades and Technologies offers workshops, camps, and virtual events to Alberta female high schoolers

Young Women in Trades and Technologies (YWITT) is helping to break barriers for female-identifying students to get involved in non-traditional trades.

But what exactly does “non-traditional” entail?

“We want to introduce young women to all trades as potential career options, from welding, engineering, robotics to becoming an electrician,” says Anika Campbell, program coordinator at YWITT. “Our organization started YWITT because we noticed that few females were entering apprenticeship programs.”

YWITT is a CAREERS initiative that hosts several interactive camps in Alberta year-round to engage female students in high school in a number of trades and technologies through specific day-long programming. The organization also offers a Virtual Mentorship Series, intended for female students in Grades 9 through 12 to connect with other female professionals and industry leaders working in the trades and technologies.

“It’s a good experience, even if they try something out and confirm they aren’t interested,” says Campbell. “We want these young women to know they have more options beyond the typical female trades roles, such as being a chef or a baker.”

The organization’s goal is to educate young females about career options in the trades and technologies, ultimately piquing interest to pursue apprenticeship, further education and finally jobs.

Camps are typically three days to a weeklong, with the COVID-friendly virtual sessions garnering attendance from approximately 30 to 40 girls at each. Campbell is responsible for the province’s northeast Wood Buffalo region, spanning from Fort Chipewyan to Conklin.

“The good thing that the virtual sessions offered us during COVID was that we could reach girls from across the province,” says Campbell. “Transportation can be a barrier, so it’s nice to offer an alternative.”

In April, four Enbridge employees participated in the first in-person YWITT camp held in two years, supporting female students as they built lamps and heard from other female professionals in the trades. As part of our commitment to the communities near our operations, funding support included purchasing the hardware required to build the lamps and a well-earned lunch for the students.

The speakers at this year’s event included an RCMP officer, an electrician and Enbridge’s own Cory, Krista and Jillanne in the pipeline maintenance, operations, and safety business units, respectively.

“We don’t have a big budget for YWITT, so having organizations take the lead in helping us to cover costs is very meaningful and lets us put on the best camps possible for these girls,” says Campbell.

Campbell also points to one story of a previous participant as an example of how the simple YWITT camps can jumpstart a young woman’s successful career in the trades.

“I remember one student who was unsure about welding previously, but after participating in a day-long activity session focused on welding she now wants to pursue it,” says Campbell.

With opportunities at their fingertips, it’s clear that the camps offer more than just a fun place to play around with tools and make friends.

“It’s so awesome seeing the young women in action and the clear excitement on their faces—it really opens up their eyes in seeing long-term opportunities.”

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