training and in-person sessions. During the TDP, students are exposed to a variety of trades like carpentry, electrical, automotive, HVAC and welding. Students also receive certificate training that may include Industry certifications like First Aid and WHMIS. With the goal of opening doors to gainful employment or further education opportunities in the trades, TDP gives people like RoryLynn Bradshaw the chance to find Rory Bradshaw (student of the women’s Trades a career path in a Discovery and HVAC/RACM programs at VIU) field they may not working with the Commercial Refrigeration have previously Simulator in class. considered. It’s omen in Trades open to anyone Training (WITT) and who identifies as a woman and/ Indigenous Peoples in Trades or Indigenous, and meets all Training (IPTT) at Vancouver eligibility criteria. Island University (VIU) provides funding and program Bradshaw enrolled in the TDP opportunities for women and after seeing an ad for it online. Indigenous people interested She completed the program in in exploring a career in the June of this year and is now trades. Funding is provided by in her first year of the HVAC Government of Canada through program at VIU, after receiving the Canada-British Columbia application and funding Workforce Development assistance from WITT. Agreement.
WOMEN IN TRADES TRAINING VIU
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Applications are now being accepted for the January 2022 intake of two Trades Discovery Programs (TDP): One for women and one only for Indigenous people. Both of these 12-week programs take place at VIU’s Cowichan campus in Duncan, and give students exposure to different trades and career options. Both are fully funded for eligible applicants.
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With a focus on safety, skills upgrading and job readiness, students experience hands-on learning and other career skills like effective job search, resume writing, and team-building. The program is a hybrid of online
“I decided I needed a change from my retail job,” she says. “We explored six different trades and it was very interesting to get hands-on experience in each trade. I have loved going to VIU because they always have staff and classmates to help you. Doing the discovery program was the best decision I have ever made.” The next session of the programs run January - March 2022. For more information on WITT: viu.ca/witt For more information on IPTT: viu.ca/iptt
