The information that would actually get you into a skilled trade is usually not being provided in high schools. We have the Ontario youth apprenticeship program in co-ops, but it's very specific. It's a huge industry in itself, so the counsellors do not necessarily have all of the information readily available. There is nothing like a college or university having a brochure that identifies every trade classification.
The fact that women are now becoming aware of and learning about this information.... The program we put together is definitely transferrable to any other sector, or whatnot. However, the women who are taking this particular course are very excited about the idea. It's as if there's suddenly an awareness of the options available.
As for taking risks and developing and becoming entrepreneurs, my own daughter is online right now doing self-help for women. She is a second-year electrical apprentice in Fort McMurray, Alberta, right now. I have another daughter who is a welding inspector. We live and practise what we preach and are definitely risk takers, as it's a risk to be in a non-traditional occupation. Every skilled tradeswoman I know is driven by an awareness that this needs to get out so that more...because there is wage parity. Women wonder, what's the difference. If they are going to work 40 hours in a job, they want to get paid maximum benefits for it. It's as simple as that. We're at an economic stage right now where women are doing it for the money and the security.