What was once a stereotypically male dominated profession is getting a female boost from the Calgary Board of Education. The CBE has set up a new training program to teach girls the necessary skills to be plumbers and pipefitters.
The curriculum at “PITS”, which stands for the Piping Industry Training School at Local 496, covers everything from soldering and welding to pipefitting. The course runs in the morning, four days a week.
America Brito is one of the students.
“I find it really interesting; you learn new things, its hands on.”
Student Hannah DeWolfe says the program has given her a head-start on the kind of work she feels suited for.
“I can’t work an office job. That would just be too boring for me.”
Training Coordinator Darren Metcalfe says the girls perform as well as or better than the boys in the afternoon classes.
“They pay more attention, they’re more patient, they look at a wider scope when they’re doing things.” The C.B.E. is looking to expand the program to include more trades in the future.
On Tuesday afternoon, the all-girl class became the first to graduate from the program.
Comments