Women interested in advanced manufacturing and mechanical trades can learn more about career opportunities and have a chance to win a scholarship through a free workshop at Clark College.
Participants can take part in hands-on activities, speak with professors and tour the college’s automotive, diesel and welding labs, according to a news release.
To attend, people must wear closed-toe shoes and long jeans. Long-sleeved shirts are also recommended. The college will provide safety goggles and masks, which will be required for the event.
Attendees could also win one of two $1,800 scholarships. To qualify, the scholarship awardee must enroll in a Clark College automotive, diesel or welding program by fall 2022, stated the release.
Madden Industrial Craftsmen donated one scholarship, while an anonymous donor pitched in the other, the release stated.
Properly trained technicians are “in high demand” in advanced manufacturing and mechanical industries and these careers can be “rewarding both financially and professionally,” stated the release. However, a recent study from Thomas Industrial Survey found only one in three manufacturing professionals are women.
“We know that, even in this day and age, women can be discouraged from pursuing careers in fields like automotive technology and welding,” said Armetta Burney, Clark College interim dean of workforce professional technical education and STEM. “And yet for years, we’ve seen our female students succeed in these programs and enter the workforce. The college is holding this event in hopes of showing women the range of career opportunities available to them.”
The free event will run from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9 starting at the Automotive Technology Lab on Clark College’s main campus, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way.
Those interested can learn more, as well as register for the workshop online at tinyurl.com/yfb6e6qk or email Hernan Garzon at hgarzon@clark.edu.
If an accommodation due to a disability is needed, contact the Clark College Disability Support Services Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-992-0901.
