Teens transformed iron pipes and wood into industrial chic décor to take home during the Teens Try Trades workshop at the Conestoga Skilled Trades Campus in Cambridge.
The Teens Try Trades workshop held at the Conestoga Skilled Trades Campus in Cambridge gave teenagers who identify as girls or gender diverse the opportunity to try their hands at carpentry and plumbing.
Teens Try Trades offers hands-on trades experience for teenagers who identify as girls or gender diverse. While the teens explored the plumbing and carpentry workshops at the March 5 evening event, their parents toured the Reuter Drive campus and learned about careers in the skilled trades.
“I wish I knew how much I was going to love it because I would have done it a lot sooner,” said Conestoga graduate and carpenter Jennifer Suckert.
Carpentry is a second career for Suckert, who has a varied educational background including a university science degree. She enrolled in Conestoga’s Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) General Carpenter Pre-Apprenticeship (now Carpentry and Residential Installations Pre-Apprenticeship) program as a newly single mother - finally finding her calling and a network of women eager to help each other succeed.
“It’s a great support system that you didn’t know was there and that you can count on.”
Teens Try Trades was created and hosted by ETT4W (Engineering, Technology and Trades for Women) at Conestoga, which organizes events for young women, supports students and creates opportunities for alumni mentorship with the aim of fostering and enhancing women's participation, persistence, and academic and career success in engineering, technology and trades.
The event was held in partnership with the City of Kitchener and sponsor Grand Valley Construction Association, represented by Olympian and Conestoga Alumni of Distinction Mandy Bujold in her role as industry and community partnerships manager. Bujold moderated a panel of four women working in the trades, who shared their journey, daily work routine and advice with the audience of 24 teens.
Bujold said that while her father and brothers all worked in construction and she was also a hands-on person who liked to be active, “it was never something that was brought up for me.”
Now the champion boxer is advocating for girls and women to consider a career in the trades, including working with Mark’s Commercial to promote Women in Construction Week by celebrating the strong women who make an impact across various trade industries.
“Depending on what you’re into, you can find something that works with your interest,” said panellist Catherine Ramon.
Ramon planned on going to university like others in her family until her uncle gave her the chance to try construction by helping with the building of his new home. Now she’s a plumbing apprentice and hoped teens in the audience could see “why we’re so drawn to this career.”
“Sky’s the limit,” said general carpenter Joellah Fletcher.
As a teenager, Fletcher was unsure about which path to take after high school until two co-op placements and a dual-credit program with Conestoga. She plans now to become a teacher in the trades.
“The possibilities are endless. You don’t have to go to university to jumpstart your career.”
Grand Valley Construction Association is focused on developing a more diverse workforce and president Jeff MacIntyre praised events like Teens Try Trades to make construction familiar and welcoming to people who have not traditionally pursued the trade. He appreciated parents also taking the opportunity to learn more about the many career options available in the skilled trades.
“This is incredibly inspiring to see so many young individuals here with their parents, and I think parents are key,” MacIntyre said. “You are helping us achieve our vision.”
Participant Isabelle Munger, 17, joined because she enjoys carpentry work and was interested in meeting women working in the trades. “I like that it’s physical and rewarding work. There’s a lot of pride in it.”
She thought the night would be fun and informative, as well as being a great opportunity to see the campus facilities. “I think it makes it a lot more approachable.”
Morgan Wright, 18, admitted she was a bit nervous using the nail gun to assemble the wooden part of the project, but was excited to be in the workshops and using the same equipment as Conestoga students learning a trade.
“I think this program is amazing for people of all ages to come out and enjoy,” Wright said. “This is a fun experience.”
Conestoga’s School of Trades & Apprenticeship offers a comprehensive array of programs in the Construction, Motive Power, Industrial and Service sectors in response to the needs of industry and growth in the local economy. The college has established partnerships over the years with many successful local, national and international companies, resulting in program enhancements and significant career opportunities for students.
Find out more about the programs offered at multiple campuses and training facilities at conestogac.on.ca/trades-and-apprenticeship/programs.
Conestoga was ranked as Canada’s top trade school in 2024 and 2025 by CourseCompare.