Jill of All Trades Event

Students from A.L. Fortune’s Women in Trades class and five students from Eagle River Secondary took part in the Jill of All Trades session at Okanagan College in Kelowna on May 22, 2025.

Jill of All Trades is a day-long event to inspire young women in Grades 9-12 to pursue education and careers in skilled trades and apprenticeship. The event includes many hands-on workshops in the power, manufacturing, and construction trades sectors. Female mentors lead these workshops to help young women develop a better understanding of the potential of skilled trades’ careers.

A.L. Fortune Secondary Career Coordinator & SD83 Trade & Transitions Coordinator Michelle Hall comments it was a very good day for the students. One highlight was a session with Krista Paine from Paine Construction, who is a registered Interior Designer and a Red Seal Carpenter, who shared her career path.

Hall added the local students had the opportunity to try many types of trades, such as plumbing, electrical, welding, sheet metal, heavy duty mechanic, joinery, construction, professional cook, and RV technician.