WISE girls change perceptions in industry: new website promotes technical careers for women.

• Author: Larmour, Adelle
• Position: NEWS - Women in science and engineering

It is funky, flashy and informative.

But best of all, it breaks the stereotypical images most people retain of professions within the science, engineering, trades and technology (SETT) fields, according to Helen Francis, professional geoscientist and vice-president of the Canadian Coalition of Women in Science, Trades and Technology (CCWEST).

Francis, a member of WISE (women in science and engineering) Sudbury, led the launch of their new and interactive career website, www.WISECareers.ca, during the Ontario Construction Secretariat's Building Futures Conference on April 28.

By linking with the skilled trades show, it was hoped the website would receive more exposure and bring to light the gender imbalance in most SETT professions. The launch also addressed the shortage of skilled trades workers and technologists in Northern Ontario, and that Sudbury and Northern communities offer great opportunities for careers in SETT.

"We wanted to provide a mechanism to as many students as possible, along with their counsellors and their parents to enable them to ask the question they want to know about careers within the SETT fields," Francis says.

A $25,000 government grant funded the project through the Ontario Women's Directorate, which sponsored it as part of the Partners for Change Consortium.

The website is the development of WISE Sudbury, a local volunteer group, and their community partner Workforce Partnerships Board (formerly called SMTAB).

The site profiles over 60 male and female role models in SETT professions.

Although the target group is Grade 9 and 10 students, it may be of interest to any student seeking more detailed information about careers specific to SETT.

The profiles are based on questions comprised from Grade 9 and...