The buzz of discovery filled Mohawk College's Stoney Creek Campus on February 19, as high school students from across the city stepped into workshops and lab spaces to learn new skills and discover their potential.
This day of exploration was Mohawk College's 3rd annual Jill of All Trades.
A day dedicated to inspiring young women aged 14 to 18 to explore education and careers in the skilled trades and apprenticeship pathways. Led by Mohawk College faculty members who were assisted by industry partners and mentors, workshops were designed to give participants a deeper understanding of the wide range of challenging, rewarding and high-demand careers available in the skilled trades, while helping them build confidence and see themselves reflected in the field.
For many of the young women in attendance, it was their first time holding a welding torch, troubleshooting automotive components or exploring careers in millwright, construction and elevating devices. What they discovered was more than just technical skills; it was new possibilities.
In the welding shop, one student described the experience as eye-opening. "I am learning how to properly weld pieces together," she said. "It's unique in a way [that] they have this simulation [machine] that tells you how to do welding properly and it gives you a score. My school doesn't have that so that's pretty cool." Each student taking part in the workshop went home with a flower they had welded themselves.
Experiential learning is at the heart of Jill of All Trades, creating space for students to explore their interests in a supportive environment, surrounded by mentors, students, and graduates who once stood where they stand now. At Mohawk College, experiential learning is a defining part of the student experience, integrating hands-on simulations, applied learning projects and work-integrated learning opportunities that allow students to build practical skills and gain industry insight.
That message of belonging was championed by keynote speaker Ashley Borzellino, a 2020 Mohawk College graduate of the Civil Engineering Technology program who works as a contract inspector operator with the City of Hamilton.
"It is quite normal to be a female in this industry," she said, speaking about the camaraderie she's experienced in her career. "There's nothing greater than being able to move forward knowing that you have people to support you."
As Miss North America 2025, Ashley also uses her platform to advocate for women in construction and STEM.
That sense of support and advocacy was shared by current Mohawk College students Ava Sunderland and Aaliyah Young-Lalumiere. Now second-year students in the Construction Engineering Technician - Building Renovation program and Schulich Builders scholarship recipients, the pair attended Jill of All Trades as high school students in its first year at Mohawk. They returned to volunteer last year as first-year students and again this year as emcees.
"It's very surreal, like a full circle moment," said Ava. "Last year we [volunteered at] it, but now actually getting to address the girls is really cool."
For Aaliyah, the event is about visibility and reassurance.
"I think it's just letting [the students] know that [the trades] is a pathway for them and it's an option. A very feasible option that now has a lot more opportunity," she said.
Recent graduate Emma Norris also returned as a mentor. A 2025 graduate of the Manufacturing Engineering Technician - Automation (Industrial Mechanic Millwright) program, Emma now works in die cast maintenance at Orlick Industries. Volunteering at Jill of All Trades gives her the opportunity to share real-world advice with students who may not know where to begin.
"I love being able to come back and help [the high school students] explore avenues that they didn't know existed," she said. "[I'm sharing] my experience and how I got into it."
For faculty members like Monika Gonthier, professor in the Auto Body & Collision Damage Repairer program, the event is about expanding awareness. Decades ago, before she began her career, she wasn't aware of the range of opportunities within the trades. Today, she sees the impact of introducing students early to hands-on skills and showing them that complex systems are easily tackled when broken down step by step.
Industry partners underscored the importance of the day. With the ongoing demand for skilled trades professionals, companies recognize the value young women bring to skilled trades with fresh perspectives in an expanding workforce. Through their sponsorship, partners bring a wealth of industry knowledge and expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Mohawk College to create a meaningful impact on young women eager to explore new career paths.
Alumnus Brian Henry, Chief People Officer at Bird Construction the event's Presenting Sponsor emphasized that events like Jill of All Trades help ensure "we're driving the message out to women that there are opportunities in skilled trades."
By the end of the day, these young women left with more than just safety glasses and workshop experience. They left with new connections, confidence, and a better understanding of the pathways to a skilled trades education at Mohawk College and the type of rewarding careers they can step into.
