Durham College is inviting girls in Grades 7 and 8 from across the Durham Region to explore future career paths during a hands-on event taking place on April 29, 2026. The college will host the annual Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades Conference at its Oshawa and Whitby campuses to help students discover opportunities in fields where women are currently underrepresented.
The conference, which has been running annually since at least 2019, aims to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and the skilled trades. While women make up 23 per cent of those employed in science and technology in Canada, they account for only 4-5 per cent of the skilled trades workforce. With projections indicating that one in five job openings in Ontario will be in the skilled trades by 2026, the event provides a chance for young students to engage directly with mentors and professionals.
Participants will take part in a variety of interactive workshops designed to build confidence and curiosity. Previous years have featured activities such as building airplanes, assembling electromagnets in robotics labs, testing patient health monitors, and even water fireworks experiments. These sessions are supported by industry partners, including Ontario Power Generation, Candu Energy Inc., RESCON, Elexicon Energy, and Gerdau.
Dr. Jean Choi, the Vice President, Academic and Students at Durham College, noted that the day is focused on discovery and imagining the possibilities for the next generation of students. The college, which was established in 1967 and serves thousands of students, continues to expand its training capacity, including through the Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology at the Whitby campus.
