By Spencer Sterritt

Sask Polytech encourages local women to take up a trade

Oct 24, 2016 | 7:08 AM

One college professor wants to encourage women to pursue the trades, and to show them they really do belong in the male dominated field.

Tammie Pawlust, women in trades and technology coordinator at Saskatchewan Polytech, held a welding and carpentry workshop over the weekend to “de-mystify” the trades for women.

“I want to see more women out there making more money and being commonplace in the trades,” she said.

The first day of the workshop, participants built the frame of a shed, and the second day they welded their own projects. In November, they’ll return to spend one day learning electrical work and another, plumbing.

There were only 12 slots available for the all-female course, and Pawlust said they were filled almost instantly.

Lighting it up

P.A.'s Zablocki leads Regina to victory on Day 4 at Esso Cup

1h ago

WORLD SOFTBALL

Group stages officially set for Men's Softball World Cup in P.A.

8h ago

Safety first

Safety concerns and tips surrounding discarded needles in P.A.

Apr 23, 2024

After 22 years in her chosen profession, she said she’s still met with incredulity when she tells people she’s a welder. It was encouraging for her to see so many people turn out to help combat the stereotype that trades are not for women.

For Cheryl Vermette, Wahpeton Dakota Nation’s social developer, the workshop is a chance to show another available path for First Nations women.

“So many of them think unless they go to university they’re either going to stay home or they’re going to go work in fast food,” she said. “They need to get out, see the options and see the money they can make.

“And it’s so much fun,” she added.

ssterritt@panow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit