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WM Hull) CHRONIC” ' Wednesday. April 3‘4 zoos - S BYMEUNDA DMIDN ernment announced $3.3 million the skilled trades. tell them to go Joy Montgomery. a former “Already as a co-op student. I Chmnu‘leSIaLT in grants to fund 264 training spots away. This is today. it's not 50 years member of the K-W Symphony. was making more than I made as for low»income women in skilled ago. It's time to see the women step found a new career in computers at an orchestral musician." she said. efore she entered the Women in trades and information technology. up to it and l tmly believe they will the Perimeter Institute after com- Four days before her placement Skilled Trades program. Sarah Conestoga College will receive love this opponunity to get into it.” pleting the IT training at Conestoâ€" ended. she was hired on at PerimeA Truax could barely swinga hamâ€" 5467.500 for the Information Tech- Students in (Ionestoga‘s skilled ga. Even with a master's degree. ter. me: nology Training for Women at the trades programs have gained expe- Montgomery said she found she “When l got this job. l felt like 1 She had her sights set on a hair- Doon campus and $316,500 for the rience working on renovation proj- had few transferrable skills when had won the lottery.” she said. dressing career, but changed paths Women in Skilled Trades carpentry ects at local community agencies she was forced to leave the sym- "This isa life~changing program." after her mother completed the program at the Waterloo campus funded by The Holmes Founda- phony for medical reasons The carpentry program starts carpentry program and found a job for the next school year. tion. Holmes also started a home “I was unemployed. my family again in September and will accept in cabinet making. ‘lt is a life»changing thing for inspection business in Waterloo was living below the poverty line. I 25 students for the 38-week train- Ejght months after classes start these onhen because many of Region earlier this year. was feeling pretty grim,” she told ing. The IT program will have 18 ed. “’8th is gearing tip to start her them have never used a hammer Both the skilled trade and IT the crowd. spots in June and 18 spots in Sep- own career in general contracting and a nail and all of a sudden programs for womenare funded by The mother oftwo found the T1" [ember for its 42-week training. with a local company. And the day they're using power tools." said the Ontario Women's Directorate program and. after graduation. Both programs include 10 weeks of she landed the job just happened Conestoga College president. John and have been running for six and landed a four-month placement at on the job training to be the same day the program Tibbits five years respectively. Stantec. Continuedonpage!) that opened doors for her received “It gives them a sense of confi- provincial funding to help more dence and improves their self- women train in the trades esteem and I believe they’ll end up “i would totally recommend it." makinga contribution to society.” Truax said, lifting up her safety The funding announcement . . - ,. glasses as she paused from an elec- drew local and provincial politi- f‘ _ 3‘ - trical wiring demonstration. “The cians. former and current students L L)’}l ‘7’ r ' p . ll 8 teachers are great. it's a safe envi- of the programs and even TV perâ€" ‘ ‘ ronment to learn the skills you sonality Mike Holmes, who praised ~ need without guys pushing you the female students for making the H RV!“ RI. t“ \i \i lRl-ssl s around. At the same time, the decision toenterskilled trades teachers kind of do that to get you “Right now. three per cent of the ready for the work force because skilled trades are female." he said when you get out there. you're the after the announcement. “That's a . only woman." really low number . . .To the guys Bnngs ‘Y0u On Thursday. the Ontario gov- out there that don't like women in KROE R' 1-\ .. Kw... .. ~’ ' .rgs»: 3 i \ DESIGN V008 OWN SOFII - ,) â€" 7 different arms * - 4 different backs , ‘ ., _ , i . . Made In Q { - llterally 100 s of configurations Canada ‘ â€" Wide chorce of colours in both fabric and leather «'4 1"‘7. ,3; f .9 A . 1/ I . 5f ‘ ‘ “N- A EVERYTHING IS HERE FOR YOU! WONDERFUL SHOPPING, FABULOUS DINING, ENTERTA’NMENT m ”EON“ “mes” ll'l' SPECIIILW REDUCED PRICES FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY! WIN $50.00 IN UPTOWN DOLLARS _, NAME "’/ , DAYTIME PHONE ‘ , V . 7 f 7 ‘ / . CONTESTCLOSESMAY6"‘.2009 1. L ‘ ”1‘ ‘ [I ‘ H“ g mawtmmmdmmmm I . maytlotownwmbtmfaxmmtthBO] “HM” now? To THE uP‘rOWN WATEIItoo comes: menu/tutu? AREA 100 REGINA ST. S. SUfTE 160, WATERLOO N2.) “‘9 PH 51988519131-FX 519747UB9-www1mmmatmmcom Iilfltulllit“IiiriillifiiltIr‘Ili'H47 M ii iii ‘inrl l .