Construction course helps women build lives
Constructing walls, electrical systems and bathrooms, they also build their inner strength
IN ONE OF HAMILTON’S impoverished north-end neighbourhoods, women in a female introductory construction course have built something they weren’t expecting: confidence and empowerment.
Not only are they physically constructing walls, electrical systems and bathrooms, but they have also built the inner strength to do it without hesitation.
Kathryn Robertson, a stay-at-home parent, has been right in there, learning to wire walls and install outlets and light sockets. When the switch was later flipped and all the lights came on, it was a personal triumph.
“I thought, wow, I’m actually pretty good at this,” said Robertson. “I was pretty proud of myself.”
Instructor Rebekah Ioannidis is ecstatic that her “girls” have accomplished so much already halfway through their 10week course. She knows their personal struggles and how hard life can be for them.
“If you could have heard the cheers last week when we turned on the lights” and they saw the fruits of their labour, it was quite a moment, she says.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am of these women and the effort they’re putting in.”
The course, Introduction to Construction for Women, is free and operated out of the basement of Eva Rothwell Resource Centre — a former school — on Wentworth Street North.
The class limit is 12 and the women learn plumbing, electrical work, drywalling, tiling, and other trades skills.
The women can’t say enough about how much they love this class.
“Here, there’s patience to teach you,” says Wendy Reyes. “Normally, people who know (their trade) are not very good at breaking it down for you.”
Reyes values the hands-on experience and finds everyone very supportive.
“See these plugs?” she says while picking up the end of an electrical cord. “We made them.”
“Yeah, I know right? We’ve learned a lot ... It kind of empowers us, too. I love it.”
Reyes applauds Ioannidis’ encouragement and inclusivity.
“See what I mean?” she says as Ioannidis, behind her, picks up a taping knife and compound to demonstrate how to effectively cover the nails and seams in the drywall.
“She really takes the time to show you.” Shauna Jones took what she learned and rewired her front porch light.
“My husband was impressed,” she says, a sense of accomplishment obvious.
Kristine McAllister dropped out of school in Grade 10 and has helped on some carpentry jobs.
Now, through this course, she can do electrical and renovation work, and is considering going back to school and eventually getting into college.
“I have really bad anxiety issues, and this is helping me a lot just by being around these people,” says McAllister.
Classmate Jessica Fisher believes the biggest barrier for women in trades is a lack of confidence.
“Getting in the trades, as a woman, it feels intimidating. But with this class, you can gain confidence and skills,” says Fisher, who is now also looking into college courses.
Her sister-in-law Mercedes Fisher is in the class, too, and now wants to become a technician in construction engineering or architecture, even though math and measuring don’t come naturally to her, she says.
“I like the electrical work. The drywall has been tedious, but still satisfying,” she says. “The course has been very rewarding.”
Ioannidis, their instructor and fearless leader, says, “It’s about encouragement and positive thinking.”
The course runs every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is funded through an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant. There is already a short waiting list for the next one on April 23, but women can still put their names in at 905-575-2489 or cityschool@mohawkcollege.ca
This is the second time the course has taken place.
In the first, a tool box and a footstool were built. However, Ioannidis, a general contractor and designer for 29 years, wanted to teach so much more.
Mohawk College, which runs the course through its City School Project, readily agreed, so now she gives a taste of the trades in the course.
“I wanted them to have the passion, the excitement about it. And I wanted it to be worth my time.”
Ioannidis looks around to the bustling activity and smiles satisfactorily. “We’re getting the passion here.”
She’s confident the women, many who live in the core, will be able to “switch out a sink” for a neighbour by the time they’re finished the course, and can maybe make some money doing it.
Ioannidis has also taken a personal interest in her students.
“I was in the same situation as them. I graduated from high school in June and got married in September and soon had two little kids,” she says.
“I just want to teach them that we all have struggles, whether it’s sickness, responsibilities, or the stack of bills on the table.”
It’s why she starts each class with a brief motivational talk.
“Have you ever noticed how big the front windshield in your car is in ratio to your rear view mirror?” she began one class. “It’s because the rear view mirror is just there to remind us of what’s behind us — lessons we’ve learned, things that happened to us or have been done to us — hurt, sadness, even our own screw-ups.
“But if we keep our focus on that rear view mirror, only two things can happen. We’re either going to miss every wonderful opportunity coming our way, or we will crash.
“The big windshield is our future. It’s today. It’s where our focus needs to be.”
‘‘ Getting in the trades, as a woman, it feels intimidating. But with this class, you can gain confidence and skills. JESSICA FISHER