Fanshawe College Huron-Bruce in Tiverton just completed its first Women of Steel introductory welding program.
Spokesperson Heather MacKenzie-Card said the program provided an opportunity for 12 local women to try welding and learn about health and safety.
The women ranged in age from a recent high school graduate to a woman in her 40s and came from a wide range of backgrounds.
"In the welding field, women do really well. Our instructor in our program is a female and she's been welding for thirty years, so she's kind of seen how the trades have evolved, but still, there's only about four per cent of women in skilled trades across Ontario, so we still have some work to do," said MacKenzie-Card.
Anyone interested in getting involved in the next skilled trades class can contact Heather MacKenzie-Card and the Fanshawe College office in Clinton at 519-606-1485.