The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 25, 2011 · 22 ATHENA Oakville legacy carries on in WIST SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER ATHENA awards may be a thing of the past -- 13 years culminated in 2010 -- but the nonprofit organization continues to honour female trailblazers. Three of the 20 women graduating from the Women In Skilled Trades (WIST) enhanced general carpentry program received an extra $500 in their wallet thanks to ATHENA 's ongoing scholarship awards. There were no gowns and mortarboards worn during the most recent graduation ceremony at the Centre for Skills Development & Training. Work boots and jeans are the preferred attire of these hard-working students. "Originally, the awards were about people mentoring women, so WIST fits that goal," said Cindy Popp, co-chair of the ATHENA Oakville Scholarship Legacy Fund. Tanoo Angus, Brenda Egberts and Elana Kentner now count among the 6,000 award winners in 500 communities worldwide who have earned ATHENA awards. Marina Johnston was also honoured with a $500 scholarship from cent, of graduates go into the trades," said Lawrence Farrell, who is the head instructor of the Burlington WIST program. In six years, 180 women have graduated from the local program and there is a waiting list every year. Moving into a career in the construction industry can be a move that pays well. "Your jobs are secure," RESCON's Jason Ottey told the room of graduates. "The skills that you have are portable, not geographically focused, and they won't be shipped out of the country." Marissa McTasney, a 2006 WIST graduate, established Tomboy Trades Ltd., which went on to distribute work wear for women through retailers across Canada and the U.S. It was in 2005 that ATHENA Oakville began handing out a $1,000 scholarship to a mature Sheridan College student. Then came its support of WIST. Both came about when ATHENA Oakville began to take in more donations and realize more revenue than the organization needed. The Women's Directorate of Ontario and the Canadian Women's Foundation, among other supporters including RESCON, cover the tuition for the women enrolled in WIST. Although ATHENA Oakville does not currently operate anymore, the scholarship legacy program continues. Those interested in helping women continue their educational endeavours, can contribute through the Oakville Community Foundation, which manages the fund, at www.theocf.org. ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER ATHENA CARRIES ON: The Centre for Skills Development & Training hosted a scholarship ceremony for four students of the Women in Skilled Trades program. Here, from left, are ATHENA's Cindy Popp, award winners Brena Egberts, Elana Kentner, Tanoo Angus, Rescon's Jason Ottey, award winner Marina Johnson and Nancy Moore (Manager of Skilled Trades & Employment Services). the Residential Construction Council of Central in the trades and in their communities, and will Ontario (RESCON). inspire other women who dream of a career in the "These women are taking g steps p to be leaders skilled trades," added Popp. Women account for only nine per cent of registered apprentices in Canada. Considering that 52 per cent of skilled tradespeople are set to retire by 2015, within 10 years a shortage of 1.2 5" Maple Engineered Hardwood, million is expected. 8 colours $2.59 sq.ft. "A high percentage, between 75 and 85 per GREEN HARDWOOD FLOORING ion Installatnly Now Oq.ft. $1.60 s HUGE INVENTORY OF HAND-SCRAPED HARDWOOD IN VARIOUS PLANK WIDTHS FROM $3.99 SQ.FT. 5" Solid Oak Hardwood Premium Grade, 8 Colours $3.99 sq.ft. 3 1/4" Solid Maple, Oak or Hickory $3.99 sq.ft. 3 1/4" Solid Brazilian Exotics ( Jatoba Cumaru) $4.99 sq.ft. 12 mm Laminate 14 Colours $1.49 sq.ft. 4th Line QEW/403 418 Speers Rd. Oakville 905-815-8818 Speers Rd. Look for our flyer in today's paper! Only in selected areas. See in store for complete details. Dorval Dr.