The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 2, 2008 - 15 Women meeting needs CARRIERS WANTED The Oakville Beaver unique in construction Continued from page 14 Women tend to take the time to care and that makes them a valuable commodity in the industry, according to Farrell. It also makes them wellsuited to specific jobs in the industry, according to Farrell who said he enjoys watching students who arrive so unsure of themselves and then, within a short time, become comfortable and confident. Many of the WIST students and graduates move on to careers in renovation -- many customers prefer to have a woman at the helm of a renovation/decorating project, or in the aftermarket callbacks in the new homes market. Kathy Mills, who is at the helm of the Halton Centre for Skills Development, welcomed the ATHENA scholarship committee. Both Mills and the committee are hopeful ATHENA can expand its involvement with the centre and WIST. "We applaud all of you, for yourselves as well as for women." Norma Gamble, ATHENA Oakville Scholarship Committee Currently, three toolkits are handed out and recipients must not only be entering a trade, but also have demonstrated past and potential future leadership roles. The toolkit scholarship application deadline was late June and awards will be announced in the fall at the Ontario Women's Directorate's visit and later acknowledged at the ATHENA Oakville gala and the centre's Celebrating Success event. The members of the ATHENA Oakville scholarship committee are indeed those who can assist women. The members include: Gamble, Hacking, Popp, Sue Alksnis, Nancy Moore, Marilynne Grant, Deb Hariss, Robin Obuhowich, Diana Saulez, Ann Mulvale and ATHENA Oakville 2008 chair Linda Stalker. The stretch between getting the $500 needed to assemble a toolkit and as Gamble put it "going big," is not that far. The committee wrapped up its tour and meeting with a check on what previous toolkit recipients are doing. Colleen Thomson who took WIST in 2004 has started a business in small renovations and handyperson service. Mary-Catherine Zwambag took WIST in 2006 and is running her own company called Miss Fix It. Meanwhile Marissa McTasney, also a 2006 WIST graduate, runs Tomboy Trades Ltd., which distributes work wear for women through Home Depot, Zellers, Wal-Mart as well as through independent stores across Canada and the U.S. McTasney has achieved both personal and financial success with the effort. The Oakville Beaver is looking for newspaper carriers in your neighbour hood! Support your local carrier Join our carrier club Earn extra money and win prizes Many routes still available Call immediately for more information 905-845-9742