News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--THE GETT REVOLUTION BEGINS ----------------------------------------------------------------- Girls from across the metropolitan area are exploring trades and technology this week as part of the first-ever Girls Exploring Trades and Technology Camp Program (GETT NS). Over the next three weeks, girls in grades six, seven and eight will design, build and race their own go-carts as part of the program at the Halifax Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College. Participants will work with women technologists, scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who will emphasize the importance of maintaining math and science courses and completing high school. The program also includes field trips to the Halifax International Airport and to program sponsors Pratt and Whitney Canada and the Halifax Dockyard. "The GETT program is a wonderful way to encourage girls to study math and science and effectively uses role models to show the wide range of opportunities that exist in trades and technology," said Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison. "There really are no limits to the career opportunities available to women and the GETT program encourages girls to reach for the stars." The program was established by the Women In Trades, Technology, Operations and Blue Collar Work Union (WITT) and has met with success in seven other provinces across Canada over the past five years. In Nova Scotia, the program was developed by the provincial Apprenticeship Training Division of the Department of Education and Culture, in partnership with the Nova Scotia Women In Trades and Technology Union (WITT NS). GETT gives young girls an opportunity to discover trades while learning to enjoy experiences that will prepare them for careers in these areas. Program administrator and WITT NS member Leslee Nicholson believes the program will help "change attitudes that still depict trades and technology as gender-inappropriate career choices for girls." The GETT Camp Program is designed to involve a wide range of community, government and corporate agencies. Each camp is free for participants, made possible through corporate sponsorships. GETT 1996 has been supported by sponsors such as the Imperial Oil Charitable Foundation. The foundation's contributions assistant, Petra Tamme said "Lifelong learning is a valued principle at Imperial Oil and the company gives support in many ways to programs that equip young Canadians with business and technical skills they'll need to prosper in a competitive global economy." Other sponsors are: Women in Trades and Technology, Nova Scotia, the Ship Repair Unit Machinist and Mechanics Union, Pratt and Whitney Canada, the Canadian Tire Association of Stores, Sobeys Incorporated, the Discovery Centre, the Union of Canadian Transport Employees, Local 80829, the provincial Apprenticeship Training Division of the Department of Education and Culture, the Nova Scotia Department of Human Resources, W&A Moir Limited, Pierceys Limited and the Halifax Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College. The 1996 GETT participants are: Angela Borden, Rana Musa, Angela Slauenwhite, Ashley Brine, Tamara Johnston, Megan Paris, Eileen Redmond, Coady-Jean Smith, Lianne White, Carissa Campbell, Jennifer DeViller, Sierra Hoyte, Vanessa Johnson, Shayleita Morris, and Erin Sydney of Halifax; Ashley Thomas, Rebecca Legaarden, Lindsay Kwan, Christine Dewis, Alyssa DeBaie, Linda Viau, Navoda Samarasekera, Jennifer Eisener, Kirstin Crabtree, and Amanda Cole of Dartmouth; Shannon Glover and Holly Ryer of Tantallon; Melanie DeYoung and Autumn Meek of Hammonds Plains; and Alexandra Malone of Lower Sackville. -30- Contact: Kelly Thomas 902-424-5262 trp July 19, 1996 - 2:50 p.m.