More Than 300 Students Take Part in NII Skilled Trades Event in Owen Sound
The Nuclear Innovation Institute's Built to Lead event drew more than 300 students to Grey County's Sydenham Campus to explore skilled trades careers.
More than 300 students took part in the Nuclear Innovation Institute’s (NII) Built to Lead event on April 29, an industry day at the Grey County Sydenham Campus aimed at introducing young women to careers in the skilled trades.
According to NII, students wired outlets, tried a CNC router, used 3D printers, tested simulated welding and explored virtual boilermaking, among other activities. The event featured 25 local unions, employers and community training organizations.
NII partnered on the event with the Bluewater District School Board, the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board, Georgian College, the Grey County Sydenham Campus and Grey Bruce Makers.
Students from regional schools attended during the day as part of organized field trips, while the evening open house was opened to young women and their families to take part in demonstrations and speak with industry representatives.
“This event is all about possibility. Whether students have always been curious about the trades or they attended because a teacher or parent nudged them through the door, NII is pleased to help introduce them to careers that offer good pay, creative challenges and the pride of building something real,” NII President and CEO Jessica Linthorne said in a release.
Bluewater District School Board Superintendent of Education Sheryl Elliott said students “were excited to test drive the virtual and hands-on activity stations while putting their networking skills into practice through face-to-face conversations and connections with industry partners.”
Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board Superintendent of Education Alex Van Wieringen said the event “offered an invaluable opportunity for our students to explore skilled trades, providing hands-on experiences and clear pathways to future careers.”
NII has not released figures on how many of the participating students attended during the daytime field trips compared to the evening open house, or a breakdown of participation by grade.
Participating organizations included Boilermakers Local 128, Bruce County Early Learning, Bruce Power, the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers, Candu Energy, The Dirty Seahorse, E.S. Fox, Fanshawe College, Hair Connection, LiUNA 1059, Millwrights Local 1592, NAYGN, OK Tire, the Owen Sound Girls’ Welding Club, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, Saugeen Sparks Training Centre, Sheet Metal Workers Local 473, Shouldice Stone, UBC Local 2222 and Women in Nuclear, alongside the school boards, colleges and host campus.
NII is a member-based not-for-profit focused on the nuclear industry and skills development. More information is available at nii.ca.
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Great to see such an event happening locally and well-timed given the federal Budget’s support for apprenticeships in the skilled trades.