The Manitoba government is helping youth gain experience with skilled trades this July by supporting nine Building for Tomorrow summer camps. This announcement was made by Jobs and the Economy Minister Kevin Chief.
“This summer, many young Manitobans will be given the chance to have fun while learning about potential careers in the skilled trades such as construction and carpentry or in the technology sector,” said Minister Chief. “Our government is committed to helping students and their families explore the many paths to rewarding careers right here in Manitoba.”
Minister Chief made the announcement at a Girls Exploring Trades and Technology camp, a one-week program offered at Red River College’s Notre Dame Campus. At the camp, girls aged 12 to 14 can build a go-cart and acquire other technical skills.
The Buildforce Canada 2015 report indicates that Manitoba needs 11,800 new skilled workers by 2025 to sustain economic growth. These camps are an opportunity to spark the interest of young Manitobans in a career in the skilled trades, the minister said. Encouraging girls, newcomers and Indigenous youth to plan for a career in the trades is an important part of meeting the province’s future workforce needs, he added.
“The Girls Exploring Trades and Technology camp give young girls an opportunity to experience working in a non-traditional trade. It is a very welcoming environment for learning and not intimidating for them,” said Alicia Demare, a journeyperson cabinet maker and camp instructor at the Girls Exploring Trades and Technology Camp. “The girls learn so much in their week with us and it is thrilling to see them acquiring new skills and having such a great time.”
Other camps include:
- Division scolaire franco-manitobaine offered a five-day camp at the Manitoba Institute for Trades and Technology for French immersion students to learn about the trades.
- The River East Transcona School Division camp, will take place Aug. 10 to 14 at Salisbury Morse Place School and Kildonan East Collegiate.
- Momenta is partnering with Skills Canada Manitoba for a one-week sleep-over camp at Liz Lake Scout Camp. Participants will go on daily tours of local facilities in the Thompson area, exploring a variety of trades with an emphasis on those in high demand for the northern labour market.
- Assiniboine Community College (ACC) will offer a Carpentry and Construction Camp from July 27 to Aug. 7, located at the Dauphin Parkland Campus.
The Building for Tomorrow summer camps are part of the government’s Gateway to Apprenticeship and Certification Initiative, which provides training and education opportunities to groups that are underrepresented in the skilled trades.
For more information about Building for Tomorrow Camps or other Gateway to Apprenticeship and Certification initiatives, contact Apprenticeship Manitoba directly at 204-945-0575 or (toll-free) 1-866-332-5077 or via email at apprenticeship@gov.mb.ca.
