Red River College’s Girls Exploring Trades and Technology (GETT) Camp is among nine Building for Tomorrow programs helping Manitoba youth gain skilled trades experience this summer.

Jobs and the Economy Minister Kevin Chief visited RRC’s Notre Dame Campus today to highlight the importance of the GETT Camp and other Building for Tomorrow programs, which provide training and education opportunities to groups that are typically underrepresented in the skilled trades.

“This summer, many young Manitobans will be given the chance to have fun while learning about potential careers in the trades — such as construction and carpentry — or in the technology sector,” said Chief of the camps, which are part of the province’s Gateway to Apprenticeship and Certification Initiative.

“Our government is committed to helping students and their families explore the many paths to rewarding careers right here in Manitoba.”

According to the Buildforce Canada 2015 report, Manitoba needs 11,800 new skilled workers by 2025 in order to sustain economic growth. Initiatives like RRC’s GETT Camp — a one-week program in which girls 12 to 14 learn to build go-karts and gain other technical skills — provide opportunities to get young Manitobans thinking about careers in the skilled trades.

“The GETT camp gives young girls an opportunity to experience working in a non-traditional trade,” says Alicia Demare, a journeyperson cabinetmaker (and RRC grad) who’s serving as a GETT camp instructor this summer.

“The girls learn so much in their week with us, and it is thrilling to see them acquiring new skills and having such a great time.”

As Chief noted, encouraging girls, aboriginal youth and newcomers to Canada to consider careers in the trades is a key strategy in meeting future workforce needs.

Building for Tomorrow camps are also offered by Manitoba Institute for Trades ad Technology, River East Transcona School Division, Skills Canada Manitoba, and Assiniboine Community College.