The technologies and sciences still do not attract adequate numbers of female students. This is not news to many of us. The Honourable Dianne Cunningham, Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, as well as the Minister responsible for Women's Issues, arranged networking participation by both government and citizens. This proactive fusion of public and private initiatives has translated into The Learning Partnership, including Words On Work.

WOW is a win-win-win proposition. Government maximizes training, education, and information dissemination. Business and professional persons contribute their expertise and experience, and students are encouraged, informed, and enlightened.

How do you get on-board with this exciting initiative?

Prospective speakers can register with their nearest WOW branch/training board.  WOW provides speaker presentation/teaching skills, program criteria, plus peer-support sessions.  Schools request guest speaker(s) to deliver the actual words on their expertise and experience in various forums to all students, male and female, in classrooms, school assemblies, career fairs, etc.

Wendy Percival and I conducted two sessions at last December’s launch of our local Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford Training Board’s WOW program at Regina Mundi College in London, Ontario. We talked about all manner of aviation careers (not just pilot), our flying group, and our own aviation and work experiences. It was a networking dream for us to reach out to the school’s grade twelve aviation class, guidance councilors, and teachers attending the launch.

Not only are WOW-coordinated presentations rewarding experiences, a WOW speakers’ get-together is a roomful of awesome women. I know this for a fact, having taken part in orientation and ongoing support sessions. For instance, the March 23rd, 2001 networking morning seemed way too much fun to be a "work" session. By participating in role-playing, chatting, networking, and exchanging business cards, I came away all the more infused, inspired, and humbled.

Young people benefit from exposure to WOW speakers who dispel gender bias by (our) implicit example. I know they recharge me by their youthful optimism. They challenge me, keep me on my toes, and yes, keep me young. “Wow!” is what speakers and students say about their encounters. You too could be saying, “Wow!”

WOW is looking for volunteer speakers from all sectors of the market place. For more information on taking part in this phenomenal program, visit the following Web sites:

The Learning Partnership: http://tlp.on.ca/