May 25, 2015
Province Partners with Schools to Encourage Girls to Consider Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Skilled Trades
– – –Forum to Bring Girls in Grades 5 and 6 Together with Role Models: Minister Irvin-Ross
The Manitoba government is partnering with the River East Transcona School Division on a forum being held today to encourage girls to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, math and the skilled trades, Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross, minister responsible for status of women, announced today.
“Manitoba is experiencing a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople, which means there is a golden opportunity for young women to launch careers in high-paying fields,” said Minister Irvin-Ross. “Research shows that if girls are given the opportunity to meet role models, such as women working in science and the trades, they are more likely to consider entering these rewarding fields.”
Manitoba Status of Women worked with Manitoba Jobs and the Economy, the River East Transcona School Division and skilled tradeswomen and scientists to develop the interactive one-day forum, called Sparking Interest, Minister Irvin-Ross said. Sparking Interest will bring together about 70 girls in grades 5 and 6, along with 10 school-age peer mentors, to engage with seven women working in the skilled trades and other high-tech occupations, the minister added.
”We want every child to know there are no barriers to entering any career path they want in Manitoba,” said Minister Irvin-Ross. “This forum will help expand the horizons of young girls and show them they can get great jobs in non-traditional fields. We all benefit when we open doors to all of our children.”
To help support the message of the forum, teachers working with grades 5 and 6 girls in the division will attend information sessions designed to support their understanding of these occupation and how best to encourage girls to explore good careers in the skilled trades or high-tech fields, Minister Irvin-Ross said.
“We’re really pleased to be partnering with the province on this exciting initiative. The students who will be participating today are going to have an excellent opportunity to learn more about skilled trades and high-tech occupations. I’m sure that for many of them, it will indeed spark an interest in these types of in-demand careers,” said Kelly Barkman, superintendent, River East Transcona School Division.
The forum is the first of its kind in Canada to focus on younger girls, Minister Irvin-Ross said. It is anticipated this format would work in other school divisions that want to develop their own events to support introducing girls to the skilled trades and high-tech occupations, she added.
“Sparking Interest links to Manitoba’s comprehensive skills strategy of creating opportunity for students and helping reach the commitment to adding 75,000 workers to the labour force by 2020,” Minister Irvin-Ross said.
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