Women in Skilled Trades Build Lasting Impact at Local Schools

Five current and former participants in the Women in Red Seal Skilled Trades program, offered through Fanshawe’s Don Crich Skilled Trades Accelerator, have given back to the community by building gaga ball pits at two local elementary schools.

The project reflects one of the Women in Skilled Trades program’s core goals: bringing women from different trades together to build connections, share experiences and support one another in an industry where they are often underrepresented.

Olivia VanDenBelt, a graduate of Fanshawe’s Carpentry Apprentice program who went on to achieve her Red Seal in general carpentry, helped lay the groundwork a year ago by completing drawings of what the gaga ball pits would look like and providing estimates for the required material.

When program coordinator Ruth Lebelo-Almaw began recruiting women in the skilled trades to volunteer their time and expertise to bring the project to life, one of her first calls was to VanDenBelt who jumped at the chance. 

The team completed the first gaga ball pit in July at Hillcrest Public School before returning to build a second play space at Aberdeen Public School in late October. Working alongside a carpenter from the Thames Valley District School Board, the volunteers gained hands-on experience while contributing to a project that will serve students for years to come.

"It's a really fulfilling feeling and so meaningful to be part of a project that is giving back to the community and that you know will benefit so many students," says VanDenBelt.

Holly Venter, a current student entering her third year in the Building Renovation Technician program and an employee of Jayson Contractors Group, says she welcomed the opportunity to help with the build at Aberdeen Public School. 

"Being born and raised in London, I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of this initiative and give back to the community I was part of for so long," she says. "This build was an amazing experience because I got to do something I've never done before and work with some of my best tradesworker friends."

The other members of the team were Zayanne Massiah, Sarah Blackler and Julia Reipert. Sarah and Julia are apprentices completing their levels at Fanshawe while Zayanna graduated from the Carpentry and Renovation Technician program last year.

In reflecting on this initiative and the Women in Skilled Trades program in general, Lebelo-Almaw says, “These women, from our current students to alumni, inspire me daily and I’m proud of how they come together to always give back to the community that supports them.”

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