NEAR NORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Women in welding event sparks passion in Northern Secondary students

Northern Secondary School technology teacher Kevin Baker has been trying to organize an experiential learning activity for female students interested in the trades for years. Specifically, Baker was looking for an "activity or event with a welding focus where a woman in the trade would share their knowledge and experience with students."

Just such an opportunity presented itself during an impromptu visit to Motion Industries Canada, a community partner in North Bay, where he met welder-fitter Caitlin Hickey.

"I asked Caitlin if she would be interested in coming into our school and working with our students. Not only did she say yes, but she was quite excited about the idea. The project just took off from there," says Baker. "Motion Canada was also excited by the idea, as they like to help students grow through co-op placements and other activities. They granted Caitlin the time off with full pay for the day to come join us."

Hickey herself didn't discover welding until after secondary school, where she predominantly focused on arts classes. After studying aircraft structures in college, she discovered her love for working with metals while helping build the Bombardier CL-415 water bombers, where she was the first and only woman to work on the floor. She then decided to expand her love of metalwork and go back to college for the welder-fitter program.

Now working with Motion Industries, Hickey says that "they have continuously encouraged growth through equal opportunity and training" and would "love to see more workplaces like this, the men and management here, so encouraging to all the women entering into the trades."

Hickey says she was excited to visit Northern because of her "love of welding and love of encouraging youth, especially women, towards working in the trades."

Hickey spent the day working with the exclusively female class, helping them improve their welding and layout skills as well as talking about her experiences as a woman in the trades.

"We have our own challenges working in the trades, as women represent only about three per cent of the workforce," says Hickey. "We've actually come a long way, and I think it's really great seeing their enthusiasm. Women do well at welding with our attention to detail and patience."

With Hickey's guidance, students built pet food bowl holders out of steel.

"Caitlin shared her knowledge of welding techniques and ran the women through the process of developing such a product. The students made drawings, fit and prepped materials, then welded the units up utilizing the skills they had developed," says Baker. "All of the students involved were able to keep the project and take it home when completed," he adds.

Northern student Hailey says she is very interested in pursuing a career in welding and was inspired by Hickey's story.

"I know it's going to be hard and people say it's a man's job' but I want to defeat that. I think it should be regular for women to work in the trades," says Hailey.

Hickey's example makes Hailey "feel like [she] has a shot and working in the trades." She would encourage any girl or young woman to "give the trades a shot."

Hickey impressed upon the students that "it's your work that pays off, if you're passionate about what you do, your work will prove itself."

"I don't hide that I am a very feminine woman, but I still do this work as well. So, you don't have to hide who you really are just because you're in the trades. You can still do the job just as well or better than men", says Hickey.

Baker thanks Caitlin Hickey for her essential contribution to his students' learning and Motion Industries Canada for facilitating the event. He also acknowledges Northern Secondary School's community welding partners, OCW Metal Works Inc. and A to Z Welding for sharing their knowledge, services and support for co-op students through the years.

"These opportunities are priceless for students. It's not every day that they can work alongside licensed tradespeople and ask questions," says Baker. "Having a female tradesperson work with them in a comfortable setting makes the learning experience that much more valuable."