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Women of Steel: Forging Forward

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This article was published 17/08/2024 (799 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Thirteen women, the first all-Indigenous cohort of the groundbreaking Women of Steel welding program, are embarking on a three-week practicum. This unique 16-week program, offered through a partnership between First Peoples Development Inc. (FPDI) and the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT), provides a comprehensive blend of theory, safety, and practical welding training in a recently expanded, state-of-the-art weld shop. The practicum, the final stage of the program, is a testament to the participants’ dedication and the program’s effectiveness. After the practicum, participants will write their final tests to achieve their fourth and final professional certification from the Canadian Welding Bureau and graduate.

The program, which had its first all-Indigenous intake in April 2024, is part of FPDI’s mission to encourage more First Nations women, female-identifying, and non-binary persons to enter the trades. FPDI program coordinator Chelsea Lavallee’s role is to promote FPDI’s different training-to-employment programs within Indigenous communities. She oversees recruitment, holds info sessions, facilitates interviews to assess program fit for interested participants, reviews eligibility, and follows up with each participant to ensure they have everything they need to succeed. FPDI covers successful candidates’ tuition, books, and supplies, while students are responsible for securing living expenses.

“I help make sure that they have a living allowance and accommodation secured if they don’t live in the city. We offer support in connecting with their band [for a living allowance]. We ensure that they are ready to begin their course, have their ducks in a row, and are financially secure. Then, throughout the program, I check in to see how they’re doing and see if there’s anything that I can help them with. After a program is completed, I follow up to see what they’ve been up to since they completed their program,” she explains. FPDI’s goal is to train to meet labour market needs, leading to higher success in finding employment after training.

At a celebration event for the students, Jennifer Davidson, coordinator of industry training and continuing education at MITT, acknowledged the unwavering dedication and resilience of the students, who have overcome numerous obstacles to reach this significant milestone.

“I want to congratulate you for keeping the commitment to yourself with this program. You showed up; you did the work. You have three weeks left for your practicum; keep the momentum going. Keep showing up. Keep doing the work. Be confident in yourself and your abilities. Soak up all those learning opportunities, and before long, we’re going to celebrate again as you cross the stage at convocation,” she said.

Student Cheyla Ponace notes that the support she received was integral to her success in her first few weeks in the program. Ponace, a single mom, left a full-time position in childcare to pursue a higher-paying and more fulfilling career. She entered the program to show her daughter that education is crucial and that more opportunities are available to those who pursue their passions.

“I’ve always wanted to work with my hands, and I kind of wanted to prove to myself that I can work as hard as a man, if not harder,” she says. Ponace is excited to start her new career and aspires to a life where she doesn’t have to live paycheck to paycheck. Her goal is to save up and buy a house for her daughter and herself and to be able to take vacations and travel the world together.

After graduation, the Women of Steel will continue to benefit from FPDI support through the LauncHER into Trades project, which is geared to promote the retention of women in Red Seal trades within Manitoba by supporting and assisting them in progressing on their career path. The next session of the Women of Steel program begins October 7th, and FPDI and MITT are accepting waitlist applications. For more information and to learn about the LauncHER into Trades project, visit fpdinc.ca.