Jennifer Green was a 16-year-old John F. Ross high school student taking advance math and science courses destined for a university. Then things changed.
After taking a trades course, Green realized that’s where her passion lay: in the male-dominated, stereotyped and hands-on world of a trade.
“I decided ‘that sounds more like me, what I want, not what everyone else wants,” said Green.
On Friday Green discussed her choices and her 10-year career as a millwright as the feature speaker at the Guelph Chamber of Commerce Inspirational Women luncheon at the Delta Hotel.
She urged more education, awareness and support for women looking to get into the trades.
Green, who now works for the Upper Grand District School Board administration, said she loved working with her hands and the fact that her job was different every day.
“If you want to work with your hands, are good at problem solving, why not go to the trades?” she said.
As for fears of it being a male-dominated workplace, she said be true to yourself.
“You don’t have to be what the stereotype is,” she said is her advice to girls considering the trades. “I can still be who I want to be … I don’t have to be that stereotype.”
She began her journey as a 16-year-old doing co-op work, eventually advancing as an apprentice and then working at Linamar.
She said it wasn’t always easy, working in a male-dominated field where only 3 per cent of millwrights are women, a number that was even less 10 years ago.
“There were some men who let me know that I don’t belong here,” Green said.
Along the way there were many that supported and encouraged her, including teachers at Conestoga College and a millwright who became her mentor and friend for life.
Her parents, including her dad who is a tool and die maker, were also supportive .
“I showed how dedicated I was and how much I wanted it,” Green said.
She urged teachers, guidance counsellors and administration at schools to help support and spread the word about careers in the trades for women.
Friday’s luncheon is part of the chamber’s efforts to showcase and help build leadership among women across Guelph through inspiring stories that cultivate success, said Kithio Mwanzia, President & CEO of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce.
“Jennifer’s experience being a trailblazer and advocate for women in the skilled trades demonstrates the value of perseverance in pursuit of achievement,” adds Mwanzia. “We’re hoping that Jennifer’s spirit of out-of-the-box thinking and community building will inspire our business community to reach higher and further.”
