Gearing up at Jill of All Trades
What do you want to be when you grow up? It’s a tricky question that can cause concern and stress for many young people as they explore potential futures. Because of existing gender biases and stereotypes, some young women may find this question even more difficult if they are unaware of the incredible careers in skilled trades.
SAIT’s Youth Initiatives offers fun and meaningful experiences that inspire young people to feel empowered and excited about education and careers in the trades. To challenge assumptions and promote a career in the trades to young women, SAIT hosts Jill of All Trades. This annual event immerses young women currently in Grades 8 and 9 into various areas, allowing them to explore and consider the opportunities and benefits of pursuing a career in skilled trades and technologies.
Empowered exploration
The most recent event occurred in November 2024, with more than 160 junior high participants from five different school districts within Calgary and surrounding areas joining in on the fun. The day’s activities featured a series of workshops, interactive demonstrations and information sessions in various focuses created by SAIT faculty that engaged and provided valuable information on potential career pathways and futures in the skilled trades and technologies for the young women to consider.
Some of these activities involved the young women trying their hands at bricklaying, carpentry, welding and more.
The greatest success of Jill of All Trades is helping unlock potential among young women who may never have considered a future in skilled trades. Responses from participants following the event were overwhelmingly positive and demonstrated the impact Jill of All Trades can have on young women. One attendee shared, “I found out how important women in trades are!” and another said, “I really like learning that women can work in male-dominated jobs and thrive!”
The success of this event would not be possible without the support of sponsors from our community. Thank you to all the incredible sponsors of the 2024 Jill of All Trades:
- Chandos
- Brookfield
- Enmax
- TC Energy
- Fluor
- WITT
- Clark Builders
- Hopewell
- Trotter and Morton
- Wolseley
- James Electric
- Siemens
- MCAA
- Victaulic
- Can. Association of Women in Construction and Buttcon West
Discover all the incredible opportunities to encourage, inspire and engage youth through SAIT’s Youth Programs.
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SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.