Skills Ontario Hosting First In-Person International Women’s Day Event in Guelph

February 28, 2024

New this year, Skills Ontario is hosting its first ever in-person celebration for International Women’s Day in Guelph, and is inspiring inclusion through a series of virtual skilled trade events.

On Thursday, March 7^th  from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, students in Grades 11-12 will visit Linamar and meet with skilled trade employers to learn about various training and employment opportunities within Guelph, Wellington County, and the surrounding areas.

Participants will engage in various workshops designed to highlight the day-to-day tasks of a skilled trade or technology career and hear from keynote speaker, Emily Chung, an automotive service technician and owner of AutoNiche. The Skills Ontario Trades & Tech Truck will also be on site for tours and hands-on activities.

“International Women’s Day is a day to stand together in unity, supporting all women and encouraging them to follow their passions, and to excel,” said Lindsay Chester, Program Manager of the Skills Ontario Young Women’s Initiatives. “We hope participants leave today feeling inspired about pursuing a career in the skilled trades and technologies because there are opportunities for everyone in these industries.”

Later that day, Skills Ontario invites women and those who identify as women working in the skilled trades and technologies to attend an evening International Women’s Day Celebration Event from 5:30pm – 9:00pm at Linamar. This free event is an opportunity to celebrate women in the trades by featuring a variety of exhibitors, networking, and a keynote presentation. Those interested in attending this evening can RSVP using the following link: https://skillsontario.jotform.com/240084240401844.

Besides this in-person event, Skills Ontario is also offering online programming for International Women’s Day from March 5^th – March 7^th, 2024. This programming includes a virtual series called, “A Sit Down With…” which viewers will learn about the experiences of different women working in the skilled trades and technologies. More information about all the events for International Women’s Day can be found at https://www.skillsontario.com/iwd.

Skills Ontario recognizes and thanks the following International Women’s Day event sponsors: Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Kiewit Corporation, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, Georgian College, and the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness and Performance (CISWP). We also thank Linamar Corporation for being an in-person host sponsor and Women Building Futures as a meal sponsor.

Celebrating its 25^th anniversary, the Skills Ontario Young Women’s Initiatives is a collection of engaging and hands-on events and programs that provide skills development and mentorship opportunities to young women. This program is made possible thanks to the support of the Government of Canada, the Ontario Government, MAGNA International, and General Motors Canada.