Come inside the classroom
After a hiatus of almost 20 years, EduTech returned to Sidney, brought back to life by a small group of volunteers working as a subcommittee of the Town of Sidney’s Economic Development Commission (EDC). Held at the Shoal Centre in Sidney, the one-day event connected nearly 200 high school students from SD63 with local tech and manufacturing sector employers for a full day of information sharing and inspiration.
Set up like a trade show / job fair, EduTech offered opportunity for students to speak directly to employers about the kinds of skills needed for employment, while business owners were able to demonstrate the types of exciting careers available on the Saanich Peninsula. Eighteen vendors represented Sidney’s local tech and manufacturing sector, including Viking Air, Scott Plastics, Terra Remote Sensing, Motorize Victoria, Titan Boats and Morinwood Construction.
The Inspirational Corner was a highlight. Successful women in the industry sat down with groups of students to share their stories. After hearing Abeego founder Toni Desrosiers share how she invented her beeswax food wrap and built a company around it, two female students from the Parklands Grade 9 /10 Tech and Electronics class said they hadn’t thought of the tech sector as an outlet for creativity. “I’ve always been inventive and creative,” said one student. “I can see myself doing something like this.” She said she felt inspired by the idea that the industry isn’t just about numbers, gadgets and trades.
One Grade 10 Career Planning student from Claremont Secondary said she was surprised by the diversity of jobs available, especially to young women. “My dad is a mechanic, so I basically grew up in the shop,” she said. “But it’s still intimidating to walk into a trades class at school and see only a couple of girls in a room full of boys.” After talking to managing director Shelley McIvor of Quadrant Marine, this young student has a new interest in exploring the Marine Service Technician Apprenticeship Training program as a possible career path. Before EduTech, she didn’t know this career path existed.
“The interest from girls grows every year,” says McIvor, who said his company includes two women among its rank of highly skilled instructors. Developed locally, the apprenticeship program covers all aspects of boat building and maintenance, from kayaks to large pleasure craft, and teaches project management and business management so that students graduate with an in-depth understanding of the entire business process.
Women can be found in trades like welding, too. Travis Hancock of Titan Boats has worked with many female welders during his eight years with the company, and is set to welcome a female apprentice at Titan in March. He said women are particularly adept with finesse welding, and show an aptitude for detail orientation which the trade demands.
“Starting wages for welders are high, and students can work their way through their training, which means they can start while they are still in high school,” said Hancock. He explains the trade requires strong math skills, the ability to sketch and draw, and a high level of focus. For students with those aptitudes, welding offers exciting opportunities ranging from jewelry design to building luxury yachts.
Todd Sjerven, OHS & Facilities Manager at Viking Air, points out that there are opportunities within the tech and manufacturing companies straight out of high school, and that companies often offer work / study programs that support employees as they earn post secondary degrees and diplomas.
David Murphy of Terra Remote Sensing agrees. He recruited Mike, a young software developer who was hired by Terra, with nothing but a high school diploma and a recommendation from his tech class teacher. Two years later, Mike has proven himself invaluable and has no intention of leaving the company. “Turnover is undesirable in this business,” said Murphy, “so we want to make sure employees have opportunities to advance their education and careers within the company so they stay with us long term.”
What advice do these employers have for young people interested in future careers in this sector?
Kyle Preston of the Industry Training Authority (ITA), encourages students to explore apprenticeship programs, and points to the diversity of options available to artisans, builders, outdoorists, and many other personality types. ITA’s Youth Training Programs allow students to try different trades and get started on their training while still in high school.
Lynn from Schneider Electric, says she likes to connect with students at the grade 9, 10 and 11, before they’ve finalized their career focus. She says there’s a huge cool factor with manufacturing engineering, but it’s not a career path most are familiar with. And yet, there is high demand. She encourages students to come to the Keating site to tour the company, to see first-hand, exactly what manufacturing engineering is, and the opportunities available along that career path. At events like EduTech, students can explore technologies hands-on, and interact with employers in a way that just might spark a brand new life path.