Women train to become carpenters in Cowichan Valley

It takes courage to launch a career change. Ask Lorie Steverson of Cobble Hill.

She got tired of building crowns in a dental office, and decided to build houses instead. Steverson walked away from a 20-year career as a dental technician to retrain as a carpenter at Malaspina University-College. She’s one of four women enrolled in the six-month Carpentry Framer Technician program at Malaspina’s Cowichan campus.

“At 46, I think I’m the oldest person in the class, but age and gender are not issues at all,” she said.

Physical ability isn’t a problem either. “The biggest adjustment for women pursuing a non-traditional career is getting past your own attitudes,” says Steverson. “Believe you can do what you set your mind to.”

One of her classmates, Pontiwa Pissanaroon, says people “look twice” when she tells them she’s training to become a carpenter.

 “It’s pretty funny,” she says. “But I never let gender separate what I can and can’t do.”

The class of 15 students is learning basic carpentry and framing skills required in preparation for employment as carpenter apprentices in the building industry.

“We just built a house,” enthuses 42-year-old Frances Ramsay-Taylor. “It’s great seeing the project come to life from blueprints. We began with the site excavation, poured a concrete foundation, framed the walls, floors, and roof. I loved the hands-on training.”

Students in the current class graduate February 23, and many have already found journeyman carpenters to sponsor and train them to complete their apprenticeships.

Ramsay-Taylor ended up in the program after retiring last March from a 17-year career in the Navy as a Sonar Operator in Esquimalt. The military supported a retraining program to help her return to the workforce.

“I’ve always liked woodworking,” she says. “I heard about Malaspina’s program and thought I’d take a leap of faith and try it. I just love it.”

The students have high praise for instructor Jim Cooper. “He’s tough and doesn’t babysit you,” says Steverson. “We’ll be well prepared for the industry.”

Malaspina's next Carpentry Framer Technician Program begins in September 2007. To apply, call (250) 746-3509 or go to the website at www.cc.viu.ca.