Virtual career expo expands to Edmonton

  • Blog
  • Virtual career expo expands to Edmonton

How do I decide on a career?

Parents might hear that question a lot and sometimes the answers aren’t so easy. #DreamBig expos might help you with those conversations and on December 3, 2020, #DreamBigEdmontonCatholic is coming to Alberta, Canada.

Designed to inspire and inform young women in grades 7-12 about career opportunities in skilled trades, STEM, emergency response, and entrepreneurship pathways, #DreamBig expos highlight females in industry and spotlight jobs in the region,

Students will be encouraged and empowered as they hear from women already working in rewarding and lucrative careers, sometimes in jobs and industries that they may never have heard of!

Hear from Women in Trades & Other Career Paths

#DreamBigEdmontonCatholic will feature women from Alberta talking about how they chose their career, what they did after high school, and what courses they took (including apprenticeship programs).

Edmonton’s speakers will include:

  • Jill Timushka, Welder, UA Canada’s National Manager, and Trailblazers Inc. founder
  • Edith Bates, Manager of Lands & Right of Way Operations Canada at Enbridge
  • Jillian Maier, Primary Care Paramedic/Public Education Officer, Edmonton Zone EMS
  • Miriam Jordi, Red Seal Journeyperson Sheet Metal Worker, Modern Niagara
  • Jessica Vandenberghe, P.Eng, MSc, Industry Professor – Indigenous Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta
  • Krysta Kerr, Dual Credit Student, Edmonton Catholic Schools

What are some of the stories of these trailblazing women?

A Red Seal Endorsed, B-pressure welder for 25 years, Jill Timushka is UA Canada’s National Manager – Youth, Diversity and Indigenous Relations. She has explored many areas of the trade including commercial sites, fabrication shops, and industrial sites, as well as working as a welding instructor. Most recently, Jill created Trailblazers Inc., sharing stories of Trailblazing Tradeswomen to inspire others to join the skilled trades.

Miriam Jordi is a Red Seal Sheet Metal Journeyman from Calgary, Alberta. Her journey into the industry began when she entered a six-month training program for women in the trades. Although Miriam had a connection to the industry since she was a child, the opportunity to work in the trades had never been something that she was encouraged to pursue. She now runs a Facebook group for new and experienced women in trades to share their experiences and advice with one another.

What do I do after high school?

With all of the college paths and university options, how do you know what to take in high school and where do you start? What is an apprenticeship? How do I find an apprenticeship? Are there apprenticeships near me?

Students have a lot of questions but there is so much support available. At #DreamBigEdmontonCatholic, representatives from the University of Alberta, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), and Edmonton Catholic Schools guidance counselors will talk about dual credit programs, co-op work placements, the registered apprenticeship program (RAP), and post-secondary programs (certificates, diplomas, and degrees).

What skills are employers looking for?

After learning about all of the opportunities out there for young women, our employers will share what they look for in candidates to fill their talent pipeline.

Register for #DreamBig!

Hosted by Build a Dream and Edmonton Catholic Schools, and funded by the Government of Canada’s Skilled Trades Awareness & Readiness Program, #DreamBigEdmontonCatholic happens Thursday, December 3, 2020, from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.MST. The event is for young women in grades 7-12 (and their guardians) to hear about women working in underrepresented careers, ask questions live, play games, and enter to win prizes.

Tickets are FREE and registration is required.

#DreamBig career fair coming to Edmonton, Alberat