School District 60 to host ‘hands-on’ trades camp for girls

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C — School District 60 (SD60) students will have an opportunity to experience a career in trades during their spring break. 

SD60, in partnership with the Construction Foundation of British Columbia (CFBC), is offering a week-long spring break trades camp called Women in Trades Camp for girls between the ages of 10 to 13 from March 23rd to 27th at the Duncan Cran Elementary School on 89th Avenue. 

Brian Campbell, district principal of careers and international education for SD60, said: “The girls are going to be exposed to a number of different trades, they’re going to get to meet industry mentors and get some exposure through hands-on [activities].” 

The camp has been offered in the district for the past three years, and some of the trades being offered at the camp this year include carpentry, masonry, welding, electrical work, plumbing, tile setting, sheet metal and occupational safety.

Lisa Scott, the camp’s organizer and catalyst for apprenticeship, promotion and progression at CFBC, said that these camps are “near and dear” to her heart. 

“As women make up such a small percentage of the trade, it’s nice to be able to put on some of these camps that are specifically for women, for young girls, so that they get to try some tools, put some tools in their hands and build some projects,” she noted.  

This year, the camp is also being sponsored by Colas Canada and Terus Construction. 

“It’s so important for the girls to have the exposure so they can break down gender stereotypes around skilled trades,” Campbell said. 

When asked why it is important for women to get involved in trades, she said: “The trades offer a lot of financial stability and independence and sometimes the industry is a little bit overlooked, people don’t have those options or never thought that that was available to them.” 

Scott hopes the camp will create opportunities and conversations for the girls. 

“The hope is that some of these young girls, as they get into high school, think about taking a shop class, even though potentially they could be the only girl in that shop class,” she added. “But that doesn’t mean they don’t belong in those spaces as well.” 

With just four more spots left for the upcoming camp, people interested can register by emailing lisa@cfbc.ca