Alumna
Gracii Partridge
(class of 2021)
18 GEORGIANVIEW FALL 2021 DIGITAL EDITION
MIDLAND CAMPUS
A career
on fire
"In grade 11, I took an automotive course and I was
always treated like the 'tool girl' whenever handling any
of the tools or tires or anything. So, when it came to the
welding part, it was something I could actually figure out
and do on my own," she explains.
The obvious choice for her at Georgian was the Welding
Techniques certificate program offered at the Robbert
Hartog Midland Campus, and it was here she fell further in
love with the trade – and the campus itself.
"I loved the fact that everybody there didn't look at me as
a girl that can't do anything," she shares. "They actually
looked at me like I have potential. I could do the same
things as any of the guys could."
Approximately 25 per cent of Gracii's small class were
female — proving that women do choose, and are
successful in the trades, especially welding.
"Midland prides itself on being a professional skilled
trades-focused campus. As such, our classes are small due
to hands-on, shop-based learning," says Mac Greaves,
Campus Principal. "All the faculty come from industry and
are qualified journey persons in their trades. They greatly
value getting more women into the trades, and go out
of their way to make sure that any perceived barriers are
lessened or removed for our students. We have a great
team and all the faculty know their students' names, as we
try to make their two semesters here as much of a positive
experience as possible."
From the age of 17, Gracii Partridge (class of 2021) knew she wanted to be a
welder. The first time she picked up a welding gun and was shown how to use it,
she felt empowered.
Photo credit:
Shoot for the Stars Photography
