Women, Trades and High Technology:
Training Options for Women

Moderator:
Audrey F. Swail, Counselling
Consultant, Women's Bureau,
Ontario Ministry of Labour

Panelists:
Linda Briskin, Director, Centre
for Women, Sheridan College

Jo W. Tombaugh, Department of
Psychology, Carleton University

Susan Booth, Women's Workshop,
London

Jo W. Tombaugh: While it is true that the technological revolution involves a vast re-orientation of training programs, it certainly does not eliminate traditional sectors. The liberal arts will survive, but will be transformed. Faced with a constantly evolving workplace, having to retrain, and being displaced to new jobs, workers will more than ever need support services, such as guidance, social work, etc. On the other hand, user manuals will be required for the equipment, and designers will be needed to plan the use of space. Therefore, many fields of study can be considered, but teachers and students must never lose sight of the new technological realities.

Linda Briskin of Sheridan College focused on the role of the College's Centre for Women in setting up an introductory course in high technology for women. The Centre organized other related programs, such as assertiveness training, ongoing counselling, and a conference dealing with microtechnology from a feminine perspective, to promote studies in untraditional fields.

Action:

• Several Canadian colleges have closed their Women's Centres, in spite of opposition from staff, female students and the community at large. Worse still, some have always denied the need for such a service. Women's groups must exert pressure on colleges to re-open women's centres.