OC Women in Trades Training to host Salmon Arm info night
Okanagan College Media Release
An opportunity to test-drive a career in the trades put Frances Sadowick on the path to a career she loves and helped her build the confidence to pursue it. Later this month, the College is hosting an open house inviting women to follow in Sadowick’s footsteps and learn about opportunities to train for a future in the building trades.
Okanagan College Women in Trades Training (WITT) is hosting a free public open house on Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 5-6 p.m. at the College’s Salmon Arm Trades Centre, located at 5450- 48th Avenue in the Salmon Arm Industrial Park. Participants can tour the shop, chat with WITT team members and get the details about the upcoming Gateway to the Building Trades for Women program intake which starts in Salmon Arm on April 9.
It was precisely this 12-week exploratory Gateway to the Building Trades for Women program that provided Sadowick with her introduction. That led Frances to enrol in a trades foundation program to continue her education, earn ITA certification and find employment in skilled trades.
Sadowick was selected and sponsored by Okanagan College WITT in September 2016 to participate in the Gateway program in Salmon Arm. She credits the program and her instructors with helping her build the confidence to continue on with her training.
“I was not feeling confident in myself and was hesitant about using the tools but my instructor would notice I was nervous and would make me feel better about trying it,” explains Sadowick.
While in the Gateway program, she had an opportunity to observe Plumbing and Piping students and learn about the trade. It was a moment that sparked an interest in plumbing that would prove to be life-changing.
As soon as her Gateway program wrapped, she applied to, and was sponsored again, by Okanagan College WITT to enrol in the Plumbing and Piping Trades Foundation program. Sponsorship included full tuition, textbooks, personal protection equipment and tools required for the program.
The experience has paid off for Sadowick. She is now applying her skilled trades training in industry, working full time in Penticton for RPR Heating and Air Conditioning threading gas pipe on a commercial project.
“I’ve found my confidence in the workplace and am excited for my future working towards a Red Seal ticket,” she explains. “I’m creating a brighter future for myself and my son.”
More information about the upcoming Gateway to the Building Trades for Women program in Salmon Arm in April is available at www.okanagan.bc.ca/wtti.
An opportunity to test-drive a career in the trades put Frances Sadowick on the path to a career she loves and helped her build the confidence to pursue it. Later this month, the College is hosting an open house inviting women to follow in Sadowick’s footsteps and learn about opportunities to train for a future in the building trades.
Okanagan College Women in Trades Training (WITT) is hosting a free public open house on Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 5-6 p.m. at the College’s Salmon Arm Trades Centre, located at 5450- 48th Avenue in the Salmon Arm Industrial Park. Participants can tour the shop, chat with WITT team members and get the details about the upcoming Gateway to the Building Trades for Women program intake which starts in Salmon Arm on April 9.
It was precisely this 12-week exploratory Gateway to the Building Trades for Women program that provided Sadowick with her introduction. That led Frances to enrol in a trades foundation program to continue her education, earn ITA certification and find employment in skilled trades.
Sadowick was selected and sponsored by Okanagan College WITT in September 2016 to participate in the Gateway program in Salmon Arm. She credits the program and her instructors with helping her build the confidence to continue on with her training.
“I was not feeling confident in myself and was hesitant about using the tools but my instructor would notice I was nervous and would make me feel better about trying it,” explains Sadowick.
While in the Gateway program, she had an opportunity to observe Plumbing and Piping students and learn about the trade. It was a moment that sparked an interest in plumbing that would prove to be life-changing.
As soon as her Gateway program wrapped, she applied to, and was sponsored again, by Okanagan College WITT to enrol in the Plumbing and Piping Trades Foundation program. Sponsorship included full tuition, textbooks, personal protection equipment and tools required for the program.
The experience has paid off for Sadowick. She is now applying her skilled trades training in industry, working full time in Penticton for RPR Heating and Air Conditioning threading gas pipe on a commercial project.
“I’ve found my confidence in the workplace and am excited for my future working towards a Red Seal ticket,” she explains. “I’m creating a brighter future for myself and my son.”
More information about the upcoming Gateway to the Building Trades for Women program in Salmon Arm in April is available at www.okanagan.bc.ca/wtti.
