Francophone women interested in heavy-equipment mechanics have an easy entrance point to the industry, with Collège Boréal offering a 24-week pre-apprentice program free of charge.
Although the program is already running its first of three provincially funded years of operation, the provincial government hosted a media conference at the college on Jan. 15 to announce their $750,000 investment toward the program over the course of three years.
“We need women in Ontario to thrive,” Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity Charmaine William told gathered journalists. “We need women in Ontario to be successful, to be healthy, to be financially independent.”
She cited women getting stuck in cycles of abuse when they’re not financially independent and labour shortages within the trades as two key areas the funding helps address.
It also helps women break into industries they’re underrepresented in.
“You’re breaking down those barriers and challenging those stereotypes that keep forcing the gap and making people believe that women shouldn't be working on heavy equipment, that women shouldn’t be in factories or building houses,” she said. “Women can do all of those things.”
Following Wednesday’s media conference, Collège Boréal manager of apprentice programs, Christine St. Pierre, told Sudbury.com that the heavy-equipment technician pre-apprenticeship program is in the midst of their first of three years.
They’re taking in 10 students per year, with the next intake expected to take place this summer.
The 24-week program is open to Francophone women and secures them their level one apprenticeship.
"They're more employable, basically, so their next step is to find the apprenticeship to be able to continue into level two, level three, and then receive their Red Seal certification.”
This is the latest in a series of free-of-charge pre-apprentice programs for Francophone women the college has secured provincial funding for, with prior efforts including a carpentry program in 2018, and an electrical program, which recently wrapped.
As these limited programs end, the college applies for the province to fund future opportunities, St. Pierre said, adding that with a great deal of competition between post-secondary institutions for these funds, she’s thankful Collège Boréal was successful again.
During Wednesday’s media event, electrician technician apprentice student Chelsè Houlahan spoke to share her experience with the previous incarnation of the provincially funded program.
Upon completing her electrician level one pre-apprentice program, she quickly found an apprenticeship.
“Finally, I was given a chance to make a job into a career,” she said. “It has taught me many important skills that continue to grow today.”
Her plan is to work underground in Sudbury.
When it comes to the opportunities these programs open up, Collège Boréal president Daniel Girioux called them “amazing, high-demand, concrete jobs.”
St. Pierre echoed this sentiment with Sudbury.com, noting that the local demand for heavy-equipment technicians in underground mining operations alone is significant.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.
