GREAT FALLS—A partnership between several area organizations, combined with a federal grant through the Department of Labor and the State of Montana, is bringing a Women in Apprenticeships and Non-Traditional Occupations (WANTO) event to Great Falls on February 12.
This event will highlight fields traditionally dominated by men, such as engineering, trades, architecture and IT. It will also connect women to local businesses that will showcase how women can find opportunities within these rewarding fields.
Participants can choose between two sessions on February 12. The first will take place at 7:30 a.m. and run until 11 a.m. and the second will run from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. At both sessions, TLC childcare will be available to watch participant’s children.
The event will begin in Heritage Hall at Great Falls College MSU. From the college, a bus tour will depart to visit several local industry employers like Central Plumbing and Heating, ADF International and L’Heureux, Page, Werner. This will allow the participants to meet women already working at these companies, while also hearing about other opportunities in Great Falls as the bus travels to each location.
“Often, women are not aware of occupations or apprenticeships that they would excel in that are typically dominated by men,” said Heather Palermo, Director of Lifelong Learning at Great Falls College MSU. “Our goal is to break down any barriers there might be and connect women to high-wage and exciting fields.”
In addition to the bus tour, participants will hear from several local women speakers in different industries and employers. Speakers will include representatives with the Great Falls Apprenticeship office, Sletten Construction and Cascade Electric. A career fair will be set-up in Heritage Hall, so before and after each session, women can talk to representatives from local businesses.
Registration is free and open to women ages 16+ who are curious about opportunities in non-traditional occupations. For more information contact, Jolene Schalper with the Great Falls Development Authority by calling (406)750-4481 or email at [email protected]. To register, visit: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07efzx486e7b116407&llr=d4zkzzbab
The WANTO event is being hosted by the Great Falls Development Authority, Great Falls College MSU, Great Falls Job Service, Great Falls Public Schools, the Home Builders Association and Great Falls Builders Exchange.
Career Training Institute (CTI) is the service provider for this event and the U.S. Department of Labor – Women’s Bureau is the funder.
Media requests for more information about the WANTO event should be directed to:
Lewis Card
Executive Director of Development, Communications and Marketing
Phone: (406)771.4412
[email protected]
Taylor Alexander
Communications and Marketing Specialist
Phone: (406)771.4314
[email protected]
