For the fourth consecutive year, the West End Home Builders’ Association has partnered with Mohawk College and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) to host the WE BUILD Showcase at Mohawk College’s Stoney Creek Campus for Skilled Trades. The full-day event welcomed 100 Grade 7 and 8 girls for hands-on introductions to careers in residential construction, skilled trades, and STEM fields.
The WE BUILD Showcase is designed to introduce girls at an early age to the wide range of career opportunities available in the construction industry. Throughout the day, students participated in interactive workshops, toured the Marshall School of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Campus, and engaged directly with industry professionals through practical demonstrations and collaborative challenges.
Participants explored a variety of trades and specialties, gaining real-world insight into career pathways that are often underrepresented by women. The event focused on experiential learning, allowing students to ask questions, try new skills, and better understand how classroom learning connects to future careers.
The Showcase featured booths and activities led by WE HBA members and partners representing a broad range of industry specialties, including Cachet Homes, Enercare, Guest Plumbing and HVAC, Heartwood Renovations, Kirin Air, MTE Consultants, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, Turkstra Lumber, and YWCA Hamilton.
The success of the WE BUILD Showcase was made possible through the leadership of the WE HBA Women in Industry Committee, with continued support from Mohawk College and OYAP. Speakers Dionne Fraser, Dani Gabriele, Alicia Sljivic, and Samara Young shared their professional experiences with students, offering insight into their career paths and the opportunities available within the industry.
Additional support was provided by Heartwood Renovations, Starward Homes, and Turkstra Lumber, who sponsored the event T-shirts.
By bringing together educators, industry professionals, and community partners, the WE BUILD Showcase continues to create meaningful early exposure to skilled trades and residential construction, encouraging more young women to explore these essential and rewarding careers.
