Young Women's Autobody Camp Breaks Barriers in Skilled Trades
A transformative one-day camp is opening doors for young women in grades 10 to 12, providing immersive experience in the autobody technician trade at Fix Network Canada's Calgary facility. Organized by CAREERS: The Next Generation, this initiative connects high-school students with real-world opportunities in skilled trades.
Addressing Alberta's Skilled Trades Shortage
The Young Women in Trades and Technologies Spring Camp, held on March 27, 2026, comes at a critical time for Alberta's workforce. According to the Alberta Occupational Outlook, the province is projected to need approximately 321,400 skilled trades workers by 2033. Currently, women represent only about nine percent of Alberta's skilled trades workforce, highlighting significant untapped potential.
"This camp is about opening doors," said event organizer Eloura Mishri. "This is a great chance to come in for a day, explore and see, is this what I really want to do? And if it sparks that little fire, that's amazing."
Hands-On Learning with Industry Experts
Participants gained practical experience under the guidance of female Red Seal technicians, applying automotive clearcoat to painted panels and learning essential autobody skills in a real shop environment. The camp attracted teenage girls from schools across Calgary and surrounding areas with varying levels of experience.
Jeff Francis, Fix Network's technical trainer for Western Canada, emphasized the value women bring to the industry. "Most people don't understand what our industry is about, so by having courses like this, it opens their eyes," he said. "Plus, the one thing that women seem to bring to our shops is detail and hard work, so we love to have them in our shops."
Breaking Down Outdated Barriers
Mishri noted that exposing youth to careers where they can "learn while they earn" has become increasingly important, particularly for young women. "There's a lot of, I would say, outdated barriers and thoughts about women in the trades," she explained. "We have a lot of young women who are extremely innovative and have thought outside the box."
Seventeen-year-old participant Amelia Desbiens, who has been taking autobody courses for three years at Central Memorial High School and is currently working on her apprenticeship, represents the camp's success stories. Seeing female technicians become more normalized in the industry is something she wants to be part of.
Building Future Pathways
The camp demonstrates how targeted initiatives can address both workforce shortages and gender disparities in traditionally male-dominated fields. By providing hands-on experience and connecting students with industry professionals, CAREERS: The Next Generation is helping young women visualize successful careers in skilled trades.
Francis, who has worked as an apprenticeship instructor for 14 years, has witnessed the ongoing push to recruit more women into trades throughout his career. He believes that early exposure through programs like this camp is essential for changing perceptions and building a more diverse workforce.
As Alberta faces significant skilled trades shortages in the coming decade, initiatives that engage underrepresented groups like young women will play a crucial role in meeting workforce demands while creating more equitable career opportunities.
