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1st annual Girls Construction Camp in Eveleth

Jun 16, 2022 11:00AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: 1st annual Girls Construction Camp taking place this week on the Range. (WDIO)

By WDIO News Staff - WDIO News - June 15, 2022

Construction, electrical, welding, and painting are the lessons for 14 girls at the 1st annual Girls Construction Camp taking place this week.

And they're learning, by building solar lanterns from start to finish.

Katilyn Herring explained how the carpentry day went. "We got the bottom and top pieces, and we had to use the drill press. And I wasn't sure how to use it at first, and I got taught. It was actually cool to use it."

Each day, a new trade is highlighted and taught by instructors from Minnesota North at the Eveleth campus. 

"My dad works at one of the mines. He does a lot of electrical at home, when we need to fix things. So I've been intersted in the trades, from watching him. I thought I'd give it a try," Norah Kainz said.

Workforce leaders want young women to know they can do this job, and this camp gives them a chance to try things without feeling intimidated.

Also, it's a place for some life lessons.

"To learn about mistakes. There were plenty of mistakes, including myself, when I was cutting. So then you go back to the drawing board and start over, and start fresh," added career counselor Jacky Bird, who came up with the idea for the camp.

As for the message for the other young women out there? "She can accomplish anything, and that we need more women in any field," Kainz added.

The plan is to expand the camp next year.

JET-Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training hosted the camp, in collaboration with Minnesota North College, 218 Trades, Empower, and Youth at Work.

It is free for the girls.


To see the original report and read related stories, follow this link to the WDIO News website.

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