June 13, 2013 held the first every Girls With Tools Bathroom Renovation Event put on in conjunction with the YWCA and Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA). This event drew over 50 women and girls aging from 5-95 years old including Councilor Bridget Mearns and MLA East Bridget Pastoor who were actively participating alongside the other women and girls.

The CHBA has been working with the YWCA Girl Space Program in an effort to challenge and empower women and girls to realize their potential. This program demonstrated and had the women learning hands on toilet, sink, sump pump, grout and silicone repair taught by local journeyman plumbers. “The knowledge these women gained by learning how to do their own home repairs is vital to self confidence and independence.” Remarked Anita Hartman, President of the CHBA and Profit Center Manager of EMCO Corporation where the event was held. “It was thrilling to see the engagement of these women and know that they left here feeling better about their ability to tackle anything.”

Executive Officer of the CHBA, Angie Zuba along with board members Jessica Joss, Jennifer McCarthy and Scott Murakami of KB Heating, the company which volunteered to instruct the sessions were in attendance to help out. “It is very encouraging to see the members of our Association really step up and get involved. Not only have these women and girls learned a skill, some of them are now looking at pursuing plumbing as a career.” Remarked Zuba “Everything we are doing here is about growing our community and getting others excited about the industry we are a part of.”

This program is also extremely vital to the YWCA in getting women and girls who rely on the services of the YWCA ready for independent living. Lindsay Brown, Girl Space Program Facilitator of the YWCA remarked, “Girls with Tools last night was a huge success, with over 50 women and girls attending our first official session open to women over 18. The training was facilitated by professionals, and this interactive evening could not have been possible without the support of our community partners. We look forward to our next session in hopes that it will be even bigger!”

The Free Girls with Tools Program runs quarterly and offers hands on experience in a variety of different topics and trades relevant to home repair. Also in attendance was Duane Pike from the Apprenticeship board. Duane was there to offer information on the trades programs and financial incentives available for entering into a trade program.

For information on how to register for the next session contact the YWCA.

The CHBA – LR partners with Victoria Park High School to deliver the first of 3 sessions of an intense hand on work experience program.

On May 7^th, the CHBA-LR launched the first of 3 sessions in a pilot work experience program with Victoria Park High School CTS Students. This program is designed to give CTS students aged 15-19 a taste of the many possibilities available when choosing a career in residential construction with real hands-on experience at a job site. The first step of this program was to orient the students in safety on the job site. Workplace Safety (Safe Worker) hosted a session to give the students an understanding of the importance of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), how to behave on a job site and the importance of respecting the equipment they are working with. For each jobsite the students will be on during this pilot program, PPE has been donated by KB Heating and the CHBA.

The first session took place at Zero Gravity Cranes & Rigging Inc., located at 332 36 Street North, Lethbridge, AB T1H3Z7 on May 7^th from 8:30am to 11:30am. At this session, some of the information students will learned was centered on proper techniques for cranes, hoisting and lift calculations. Students were able to operate the equipment during this session and were thrilled to in control of equipment worth millions of dollars. After completion, students earned a certificate of work experience to use in their pursuit of career after high school. The CTS instructor for Victoria Park School, Tom Kocken said, “Zero Gravity Cranes provided a positive learning experience with a true hands on experience that allowed the students the opportunity to see this work as a viable career choice.”

“The whole purpose of this program to give high school students real exposure to career possibilities right here in the City that offer tremendous possibility for growth and success and a sense of ownership in the decisions they make for their future. “ says Angie Zuba, Executive Officer of the Canadian Home Builders Association – LR.

The second session will be later in May at Kodiak Mountain Stone and the 3^rd will take place in early June at KB Heating & Air Conditioning.

Girls with Tools is here again and this time we have opened it up to women and girls of all ages! This program is designed to empower women and girls and teach them that they can do home repair confidently! Learn from industry professionals and be part of a great program. See the poster below for details on how to register!