More than 200 young women from across Alberta and the Northwest Territories gathered at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology on Thursday for an empowering introduction to skilled trades careers. The fourth annual Jill of All Trades event provided hands-on workshops and mentorship from women currently working in various trade industries.
Hands-On Learning Experience
Among the participants was Tessa Nendsa, a 15-year-old grade 10 student from École St. Patrick High School in Yellowknife, who experienced welding for the first time. Under the guidance of advanced welding instructor Leah Applejohn, Nendsa used an acetylene torch to cut out a cat shape from a piece of steel.
"I like working with metal and hands-on jobs," Nendsa explained after completing her project. "I just love the feeling of making something yourself and feeling very proud in that moment."
The event featured multiple workshops where students could try their hand at various trades including:
- Welding and metal fabrication
- Electrical work
- Ironworking
- Powerline technician skills
- Plumbing techniques
Addressing Gender Imbalance in Trades
Laurel Tokuda, associate dean for NAIT's school of construction and building sciences, emphasized the importance of introducing young women to trades careers. Currently, women represent only about 10 percent of students in NAIT's skilled trades and apprenticeship programs, though Tokuda noted a promising 70 percent increase in female enrollment over the past five years.
"This event shows women some opportunities," Tokuda stated. "They may have never had the chance to put their hands on a tool and explore different trades."
As a Red Seal electrician herself, Tokuda recalled frequently being the only woman on job sites with hundreds of workers. She sees the growing participation of women in trades as a recent but crucial development.
Meeting Canada's Skilled Trades Shortage
The push for more women in trades comes amid a significant shortage of skilled trades workers across Canada. According to the Business Council of Alberta, job postings for skilled trades increased by 85 percent between 2018 and 2023.
A April 2025 report from the council specifically recommended that governments do more to bring women into these fields to help address labor gaps. The shortage presents particular opportunities in northern communities, where skilled trades professionals are in high demand.
Cindy Kimove, assistant principal at École St. Patrick, noted that fewer girls and Indigenous students at her school were enrolling in pre-trades programming. In response, she created the Skill Sisters club to provide a judgment-free space where students can develop new technical skills.
The Jill of All Trades event represents a growing movement across Canadian educational institutions to diversify the trades workforce and provide young women with exposure to well-paying, in-demand career paths they might not otherwise consider.
