If you are a high school student applying to colleges and universities, or a post-secondary graduate searching for career opportunities, you’ve most likely heard about the skills shortage in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
In fact, the anticipated shortage of workers is seen as such a threat that the federal government recently promised to invest $19 million to promote education in STEM fields and the skilled trades.
So if you want a lasting career and are willing put the work into gaining a more technical skill set, the odds are in your favour—especially if you’re a woman.
Women have traditionally been underrepresented in STEM occupations. Female students are also less likely than their male counterparts to choose a STEM program in post-secondary school. It’s not because they’re less capable or less interested, but often because of the stigma that surrounds the skilled trades and stereotypes that exist about women who work in STEM fields. The skilled trades are simply overlooked as viable and fulfilling career options for young women.
Lindsay Amundsen is the director of program development and operations at Journeyman, an organization that promotes, supports and mentors women in the skilled trades. She says that the negative stigma surrounding work in the trades often discourages women from considering it as an option.
“Many people think that construction is for ‘dumb people,’ or that it’s not a smart job,” she says. “There needs to be a cultural awareness around these jobs. The industry is booming. There is going to be tons of work. The pay is wonderful. It’s secure. You can travel.”
As part of her work with Journeyman, -Amundsen and her team visit schools and job fairs to promote the skilled trades and their organization’s mentorship program.
“I think by just educating kids at a young age and getting them exposed is the best way to spark their interest in the skilled trades,” she says. “It’s not that young girls or guys don’t want to be in construction. The problem is that they don’t know about it and they don’t know that they can do it.”
Amundsen says there is so much potential, flexibility and stability in skilled trade jobs, but the issue is that young people aren’t exposed to them enough. She mentions a pilot project Journeyman wishes to establish with a school board in Ontario that would focus on incorporating the skilled trades into the curriculum. Students would participate in a type of shop class, but one where they would be introduced to all kinds of trades.
“We want to change what people think about construction. It’s not just rough and tough women working these jobs,” says Amundsen. “These are real, everyday women with families, of all ages, and from all walks of life. And there are tons of different trades.”
Electrician. Welder. Software developer. Engineer. These and many more are rewarding, well-paying fields that will need new workers. Do you have what it takes to tackle one? for more info, check out avant career
In fact, the anticipated shortage of workers is seen as such a threat that the federal government recently promised to invest $19 million to promote education in STEM fields and the skilled trades.
So if you want a lasting career and are willing put the work into gaining a more technical skill set, the odds are in your favour—especially if you’re a woman.
Women have traditionally been underrepresented in STEM occupations. Female students are also less likely than their male counterparts to choose a STEM program in post-secondary school. It’s not because they’re less capable or less interested, but often because of the stigma that surrounds the skilled trades and stereotypes that exist about women who work in STEM fields. The skilled trades are simply overlooked as viable and fulfilling career options for young women.
Lindsay Amundsen is the director of program development and operations at Journeyman, an organization that promotes, supports and mentors women in the skilled trades. She says that the negative stigma surrounding work in the trades often discourages women from considering it as an option.
“Many people think that construction is for ‘dumb people,’ or that it’s not a smart job,” she says. “There needs to be a cultural awareness around these jobs. The industry is booming. There is going to be tons of work. The pay is wonderful. It’s secure. You can travel.”
As part of her work with Journeyman, -Amundsen and her team visit schools and job fairs to promote the skilled trades and their organization’s mentorship program.
“I think by just educating kids at a young age and getting them exposed is the best way to spark their interest in the skilled trades,” she says. “It’s not that young girls or guys don’t want to be in construction. The problem is that they don’t know about it and they don’t know that they can do it.”
Amundsen says there is so much potential, flexibility and stability in skilled trade jobs, but the issue is that young people aren’t exposed to them enough. She mentions a pilot project Journeyman wishes to establish with a school board in Ontario that would focus on incorporating the skilled trades into the curriculum. Students would participate in a type of shop class, but one where they would be introduced to all kinds of trades.
“We want to change what people think about construction. It’s not just rough and tough women working these jobs,” says Amundsen. “These are real, everyday women with families, of all ages, and from all walks of life. And there are tons of different trades.”
Electrician. Welder. Software developer. Engineer. These and many more are rewarding, well-paying fields that will need new workers. Do you have what it takes to tackle one? for more info, check out avant career
