On October 6, 62 female-identifying students from Gravenhurst Public School (GPS) and Muskoka Beechgrove Public School visited the Muskoka Discovery Centre for the International Day of the Girl Celebration.
Hosted annually by Skills Ontario, the event aims to empower young girls and highlight career pathways in the skilled trades and technology.
The program opened with engaging presentations from Muskoka Contracting representatives Kacy Fortella-Hollingshead and Dave Nodwell, who shared their personal journeys toward becoming certified construction professionals.
In the afternoon, students took part in hands-on stations organized by community partners such as Georgian College, Community Builders, Durham College, and others. Participants explored key trade concepts through interactive learning, which featured workplace safety practices, robotics constructions and jewellery making, virtual reality welding simulations, and tire changing techniques.
“The event made me think that I have more opportunities as a girl to go into the skilled trades, and it actually opened my mind to see what I wanted to do in life,” said GPS student, Keanna.
“It was very good at helping me decide what I want to do. It was very impactful,” expressed GPS student, Arabella.
“What a tremendous opportunity for our students to learn about the trades in a small venue with their peers,” said Trillium Lakelands District School Board experiential learning consultant, Wendy Nicholson. “To see the confidence that was built in these students was so inspiring!”
