News release

Techsploration Doubles in Size

Education (July 1999 - March 2013)

Forty-eight more Nova Scotia high school students will learn about careers in non-traditional fields thanks to a new investment in Techsploration, announced today, Dec. 2.

Techsploration is an innovative program designed to increase the number of women working in science, trades and technology through mentorships with women in these fields. The provincial investment of $75,000 will double the number of schools and young women in the program -- young women like Allison Reid.

Allison never thought much about what she wanted to be when she grew up. The grade 10 student is now considering a career as a marine biologist thanks to a work site visit.

"Techsploration made me want to do well in school, and opened my eyes to different career opportunities," said Ms. Reid of Canso Academy. "After Techsploration we put on a play and did a presentation for other students, particularly the younger girls, so they could learn about careers in the sciences, trades and technology."

Techsploration is part of the provincial skills agenda -- Skills Nova Scotia. It highlights the importance of having the right skills to match the job, and being able to upgrade those skills to advance as the job advances.

Techsploration is a joint initiative of the Nova Scotia Community College; Apprenticeship Training and Skill Development Division - Department of Education; and WITT NS (Women in Trades & Technology).

"Techsploration is bringing a world of career possibilities in sciences, trades and technology to the young women of Nova Scotia," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "We are investing in Techsploration to create more opportunities for all young women across the province to learn about exciting and rewarding careers, here at home."

Jane Purves has been named the Chair of Techsploration's first Board of Directors. At the 6th annual launch, held this morning at Halifax City Hall, Ms. Purves announced the names of the directors.

"This announcement is exciting news for Techsploration, for young women in Nova Scotia and indeed for our province in the face of skills shortages," said Ms. Purves, speaking about this year's unprecedented growth. "The Techsploration Expansion Task Force has been hard at work for over a year, culminating in today's news that the program will be available in 16 schools throughout the province. Judging by the number of inquiries about the program, plans for Techsploration to become a model used across Canada and beyond, is now closer to becoming a reality."

Based on today's expansion announcement, Eskasoni and Indian Brook First Nation schools will participate in Techsploration for the first time this year, as well as six other schools yet to be named.

The following schools have participated in Techsploration since the program began in 1998: Canso Academy, Canso; Dr. J.H. Gillis Regional High, Antigonish; St. Mary's Academy, Sherbrooke; East Antigonish Academy, Antigonish; Strait Area Education and Recreation Centre (SAERC), Port Hawkesbury; Guysborough Academy, Guysborough; Duncan MacMillan High School, Sheet Harbour; and Waycobah First Nation Secondary School, Waycobah.

As part of Techsploration, young women, industry members and volunteers have the opportunity to participate in activities such as: -- Techsploration Career Research Model - teams are assigned a science, trades, technical or technology-related occupation to research; -- Techsploration Goes To School - each school team shares their experiences and research with students at their home school; -- Techsplorers Alumnae Activities/Event - girls in grades 10, 11 and 12 are invited together for follow-up activities; and -- Techsplorers Event - young women from across Nova Scotia gather at NSCC, Strait Area Campus with their teachers, role models, volunteers and invited guests to participate in exciting interactive presentations and workshops.

"Techsploration, by virtue of its goals and structure, provides young women with an opportunity to see technology, trades and science as exciting and viable career choices," said Ray Ivany, president of NSCC. "We believe skills and learning are key to Nova Scotia's future success and we are proud to be a founding partner in a program such as Techsploration, which creates more equitable access to those opportunities."

Sponsors of the program are ExxonMobil Canada, Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, Black & McDonald Ltd, EnCana, ChevronTexaco, ACCENT Engineering Consultants Inc, Karlsen Shipping Company Ltd., Halifax International Airport Authority, Dexter Construction Company Ltd, Marathon Canada Ltd, ElPaso, Coastal Oceans Associates Inc, G.J. Cahill, Association of Professional Engineers of NS (APENS), Offshore / Onshore Technologies Association of NS (OTANS), the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women (NSACSW), and Statia Terminals Canada partnership.