Inspiring Young Minds Skilled Trades Project - In the News

(The article below was originally published in the Skills Ontario December 2020 Newsletter.)

Mohawk College is working with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board to engage elementary students in Skills development during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Three faculty members from Mohawk’s Marshall School of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship have dedicated time to the Inspiring Young Minds Skilled Trades Project, involving Grades 7 and 8 students in hands-on activities connected to skilled trades. Instructors Justin Decosemo (Welding), David Currie (Automotive Service Technician) and John Legree (Industrial Mechanic Millwright) worked with the teachers at Queen Mary, Queen Victoria and Memorial elementary schools to align the activities with the classroom curriculum. Then the instructors joined the students in online sessions, answering questions and helping them complete activities. 

At Queen Mary ES, students explored the effect of heat on different metals and saw demonstrations of bending metal, cutting with fuel torches, and burning chromium out of stainless steel. At Queen Victoria ES, the class explored hydraulic fluids and constructed a simple hydraulic arm using cardboard, scissors and syringes. The students at Memorial ES studied the background and technology involved in electric vehicles, with the aim of creating electric cars from kits.  

The Mohawk College-HWDSB project raises awareness of skilled trades programs in secondary school and highlights post-secondary opportunities, including apprenticeships.