Unlimited potential
More women entering non-traditional fields

If you ask the group of women enrolled in Women Unlimited at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), Lunenburg, what the job of a homemaker entrails, expect a non-traditional answer. Be prepared to hear about how a home is built from the inside out - the freshly framed walls, the complex electrical panels, the plumbing systems or the architectural drafts for the structure itself.

These are the female carpenters, mechanics and IT professionals of tomorrow - thanks to Women Unlimited. Sponsored by the WEE Society and funded through partnerships with Service Canada, the NSCC, the NS Departments of Education (Apprenticeship Division) and Community Services, this program is designed to help women transition into the well-paying jobs available in the fields of science, trades and technology.

Women Unlimited begins with a 12-week program that exposes participants to the careers available to them through workshops, field trips, career counselling and skills development opportunities. Once a woman decides on her career path, the program continues to support her through her program and her transition into employment. The first Women Unlimited pilot was launched in Lunenburg and Queens Counties last May. Of the 17 participants, 12 are now attending NSCC.

Joanne Scobey-Sutherland is one of them. She is now enrolled in Motorcycle and Power Products Repair at NSCC Lunenburg Campus.

"I was always interested in mechanics but wasn't sure I wanted to make a living at it," she said. "But I love taking apart engines and fixing them. It's very fun and satisfying to know you can take something broken and make it work again."

Scobey-Sutherland says Women Unlimited helped her gain the confidence to pursue new career in a supportive environment.

Women Unlimited is looking to repeat its success with a second program at NSCC.s Information Technology Campus on Leeds Street in Halifax this spring. There are 25 seats available for women in the HRM who are unemployed or working less than 20 hours a week and not currently in school.

"We really want to help women through some of the barriers to accessing post-secondary training, including tuition fees, child care and transportation needs" says Jeannie Eisnor, Coordinator of the Lunenburg Campus pilot.

Eisnor says participants receive comprehensive support and mentoring throughout the 12 weeks and beyond.

"The goal is to match each woman with a mentor so there can be ongoing assistance," she says. "We also work with employers to create opportunities and awareness."

The opportunities for women in the workforce are opening up, she says, but there is still progress to be made. Only 4.6 per cent of people working in the trades in Nova Scotia are women. But institutions such as NSCC are helping to change that. Just under 10 per cent of students enrolled in trades and technology programs are women.

According to the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council (APEC), we lost 13,000 people to Alberta over the past 12 months. This program is an innovative response to the looming skills shortage in fields where women are vastly under-represented.

Eisnor says space in both HRM and Lunenburg are likely to fill up quickly.

"This is an excellent option for women who enjoy working with their hands or with computers. There are just so many career options waiting to be explored - from the marine industry to aerospace. It's an exciting time to start to change the face of these industries."

For more information about Women Unlimited, contact: In Lunenburg/Queens: Jeannie Eisnor, 1-877-527-1053. In HRM: Lynn MacKinlay, 229-1704