Skills Ontario has opened registration for its annual International Day of the Girl Celebration. As a not-for-profit organization that provides skilled trade and tech career exploration programming to youth, Skills Ontario is increasing its in-person and virtual events in recognition of this important day.

This year, Skills Ontario is hosting two in-person conferences on Wednesday, October 11th.  One conference will take place at Science North, Greater Sudbury, and feature keynote speaker, Rokhaya Gueye. The other conference is being held at Canadian Science and Technology Museum, Ottawa, with second keynote speaker Jasmine Gauthier. The virtual series of events, running on October 4^th, includes hands-on challenges, and virtual series called “A Sit Down with….” Featuring skilled tradespeople, Dee Durant, Jessica Duquette, Kendra Liinamaa, and Mira Polski.

“We are excited to be hosting our International Day of the Girl Celebration Event once again this year and to bring the in-person events not just to Sudbury, but to Ottawa as well. Our aim with International Day of the Girl is to empower young women to be all they can be and to pursue their own dreams and passions regardless their fears or hesitations,” says Lindsay Chester, Young Women’s Initiatives Program Manager.

Skills Ontario celebrates the International Day of the Girl to recognize and inspire girls across the province to build their skills, conquer boundaries, and explore their career pathways. Through experiential learning, mentorship, and networking opportunities, Skills Ontario’s Young Women’s Initiatives program has reached thousands of young women with a goal to inspire them to explore career paths they may have never considered before or might have even been discouraged from considering.

“Skills Ontario invites all of Ontario to join us in celebrating International Day of the Girl. With more women enrolling in apprenticeships in Ontario, it is vital we continue delivering programming, like our International Day of the Girl events, to inspire young women to pursue and achieve successful careers in the skilled trades and technologies,” says Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario.

Skills Ontario’s Young Women’s Initiatives is an Employment Ontario program funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. Thank you to Program Sponsors Magna International and General Motors (GM.)

“At Magna, we recognize the immense value of supporting young girls in STEM and skilled trades,” said Jennie Ecclestone, Director, Talent Attraction and Recruitment Marketing at Magna. “By providing equal opportunities and breaking down gender barriers, we not only foster diversity and inclusivity, but also drive innovation, address the skills gap, and shape a talented workforce for the future.”

“Considering the trades as a career can be an empowering path. We’re here to stand behind those women who are realizing their own goals and dreams, who have a relentless desire to pursue the trades,” said Jen Cowdrey, GM Canada CAMI Assembly Business Manager.

Details on the celebration, including registration, can be found at skillsontario.com/idg.

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