Skills Ontario International Women’s Day Celebration Event

 

Come Celebration International Women’s Day with Skills Ontario
#AccelerateAction


Check out past Sit Down Conversations

Watch   Samantha Kaur, Aerospace Engineer, 2025
Watch   Lina Hong, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Apprentice, 2025
Watch   Jennifer Cowdrey, Assembly Business Manager, 2025
Watch   Stephanie McLean, Licensed 309A Electrician, 2024
  Joanna Osawe, President CEO Women in Renewable Energy, 2024 
  Rokhaya Gueye, Carpenter, 2024 

 

 

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International Women’s Day Celebration Series

March 3 - 7, 2025 


Thank you to our 2025 Host Sponsor 

Orange and grey logo for Linamar.

 

Skills Ontario is excited to announce that we will be hosting our International Women’s Day Celebration Events again this year from March 3 – 7, 2025. In person celebration events are planned for girls in grades 11 & 12 but we will also have virtual, co-ed offerings great for the whole class to participate in. 

International Women’s Day is a day where “women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.” (Source)
 

Register Here 

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Design Horizons - Reimagining the Ideal Schoolyard
Challenge Submission Deadline: Friday, March 21, end of day (11:59pm)

Challenge Details

Slide Deck

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Wearable Tech Challege 
Challenge Submission Deadline: Friday, March 21, end of day (11:59pm)

Challenge Details

Design Document

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Schedule of Events:

Monday, March 3: Virtual Offering(s) available 


“A Sit Down with…” Available On-Demand for grades 10 – 12
Free to attend. Registration required.

Registration will open on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 for students in grades 10 - 12

  • Students will have the opportunity to hear from current skilled trade professionals about the various possibilities available in the skilled trades.
  • We will be sitting down with Lina Hong, Jennifer Cowdrey and Samandeep Kaur as they chat about their experiences within the skilled trades and their journey to becoming a spokeswomen and advocates for the amazing careers in the trades


MEET: 

Lina Hong, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, member of Women in Aerospace 

Lina Hong is an apprentice aircraft maintenance engineer at Porter Airlines. She graduated from AY Jackson Secondary School in Toronto, then attended Algonquin College to become an aircraft maintenance engineer. Currently, she resides in  Ottawa with her fiancé and their two cats. Aside from her job, Lina has also a co-lead for the Internal Mentorship subcommittee of Women Soar at Porter, a company committee committed to supporting women in aviation. She loves what she does and she is passionate about encouraging young women to explore careers in the skilled trades and aviation.

Jennifer Cowdrey, Assembly Business Manager, General Motors CAMI Assembly  

“Fear of failure will kill more dreams than trying ever will." Jen grew up in the country outside of St. Marys, Ontario and always enjoyed working on the farm and helping her dad fix vehicles. She attended Fanshawe College in the Motive Power Technician program and worked at a dealership in the shop. She continued her education in Mechanical Engineering Technician and was hired full time at General Motors CAMI Assembly in Ingersoll 13 years ago. Jen’s career is fast paced and she rewarding. She wouldn’t be where she is today if it wasn’t for her love of skilled trades.

Samandeep Kaur, Aerospace Engineer, NWI Precision, member of Women in Aerospace

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Design Horizons: Where Creativity Meets Opportunity Virtual Challenge presented by Elementary Teachers 
*Revised Event* Free to attend. Registration required.

Registration will open on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 for students in grades 7-8 [co-ed offering]

Join us for an exciting, interactive, and engaging pre-recorded workshop, available in both English and French, celebrating Skills Ontario's International Women’s Day tailored for Grades 7-8. This interactive session will immerse students in the Engineering Design Process —whether through traditional techniques or digital tools. Students will not only refine their drawing skills through a guided tutorial, but also explore various career and academic pathways connected to these skills. The workshop includes a reflective component where students can document their learning in their Individual Pathway Planner and submit their creations for a chance to participate in a competition.

Design Challenge *Teams of 2
Submission Deadline: Friday, March 21 (end of day)
Challenge Details / Rubric : Available mid-January

 

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Wearable Tech Challenge presented by Skills Ontario for grades 7 & 8 and 9 & 10

Cost: $150 per class (25 kits). If registering a smaller class size, kits are $6.00 per student.
Registration is now open for students in grades 7-8 [co-ed offering] and grades 9-10 [co-ed offering]


IMPORTANT: *This event includes a Skills Ontario Presentation, followed by a review and walk through of the challenge

9:30am: Skills Ontario Presentation, for grades 9 & 10, presented by Shelley O’Rourke
10:00am: Skills Ontario Presentation, for grade 7 & 8, presented by Jessica Amlin

Join us for the Wearable Tech Challenge, an exciting online event where art meets science to honor this special day. This year’s challenge invites students to explore an inspiring blend of electrical trade skills from the construction sector with the design flair of the service sector as they create a unique wearable pin or brooch. 

Using a custom kit packed with colorful felt, LED lights, batteries, and conductive thread, participants will design a piece that highlights the theme of International Women’s Day: #AccelerateAction                

With the kit materials and plenty of creativity, students will bring their ideas to life in a fun, hands-on way that celebrates the importance of International Women’s Day. 

Design Challenge *Individual Submissions

Submission Deadline: Friday, March 21 (end of day)
Challenge Details / Rubric : Available mid-January

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Tuesday, March 4: Virtual Offering(s)

Career Curious: Techniques for Career Exploration presented by Kings Trust Canada for grade 10

Time: 9:30am / Duration: 45 minutes 
Free to attend. Registration required.

 Registration will open on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 for students in grade 10 [co-ed offering]

 

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Thursday, March 6: In-person Offering(s) 

International Women’s Day In-person Celebration Event [daytime]: Guelph, ON
Cost: $30 per student participant. Registration required. Space is limited.

Registration is now open: https://skillsontario.jotform.com/243234510205846
 

A Celebration Event where aspiring women in trades will learn about the possible skilled trades and technology careers from amazing skilled trades ambassadors through interactive, hands-on activities

We are offering multiple opportunities for young women to participate in hands-on workshops:

  • Students can register for two (2) workshops in which they will rotate through, throughout the afternoon

Lunch is included. Gluten free must be requested by February 25, 2025 


 International Women’s Day In-person Celebration Event [evening]
for Parents/Guardians/Influencers, Teachers and Guidance Counsellors
Cost: $20 per P/G/I, Teacher and/or Guidance Counsellor. Registration required. Space is limited.

Registration is now open: https://skillsontario.jotform.com/243234510205846

 
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Friday, March 7: In-person Offering

International Women’s Day – Industry Event with Toronto Pearson International Airport
hosted at the Toronto Pearson International Airport, Lounge 15
Free to attend. Registration required. Space is limited

Registration is now open: https://skillsontario.jotform.com/243234510205846

Skills Ontario is excited to announce that we have partnered with the Toronto Pearson International Airport to hold a special Industry Event in Celebration of International Women’s Day on Friday, March 7th, 2025 at Lounge 15 of the airport.

As a part of this event, we are inviting 20 young women in grades 11 and 12 from the GTA area who are passionate about pursuing a career in the skilled trades to attend the event.

During this event, the young women will have the opportunity to meet with and network with professionals in the aviation industry by participating in a panel discussion, with Q&A, as well as engaging in a variety of exhibitor tables.

As this event is taking place at the airport, additional informed consent forms (available in the new year) and security clearances will need to be done ahead of time.

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View past International Women's Day & International Day of the Girl Events:

Celebrate International Women's Day with us as we #InspireInclusion and empower all those that identify themselves as women! Be a part of the change and show your support!