HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State Community College hosted the first-ever Jill of All Trades event in Alabama on Friday, April 10. Hosted across the campus, the one-day event was a hands-on career exploration program designed to introduce young women to high-demand skilled trades such as manufacturing, construction, transportation and more through a mix of instruction and interactive experiences.
Wallace State Regional Workforce Director and Director of Work-Based Learning Audrey Webb said, “The purpose of this event today is really to get these young women to see all the different opportunities that they have. I think that it’s so important…to really see what all was out there.”
Many female students have historically had limited exposure to skilled trades, often only hearing about a narrow selection of career paths. By providing access to multiple disciplines in one setting, the event allowed participants to better understand the opportunities available and make informed decisions about their futures.
“There’s not a lot of women in the field still today, but it is growing,” Webb said. “As we let young women see other women in these roles, it gives them a better opportunity and a better understanding of what they can do.”
Students visited different sessions that began with brief overviews of each field before transitioning into hands-on activities like working with tools, equipment and technology used in real-world settings, giving them a clearer picture of what careers in the trades might involve.
Events like this challenge outdated perceptions about who belongs in these industries. While women remain underrepresented in many skilled trades, their presence is steadily growing and encouraging younger generations. Seeing female instructors and professionals in these roles can help them envision themselves in similar careers.
In addition to learning about the trades, visitors learned about the financial and entrepreneurial potential in them. According to Webb, many careers in these fields can lead to high-paying opportunities, including six-figure salaries, often with shorter training periods such as one- or two-year programs.
Micaela Campbell, operations coordinator for Jill of All Trades North America, said the initiative began in 2014 at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario, as a single-day event and has since expanded significantly.
“Jill of All Trades is an initiative to encourage young women to pursue or explore future career pathways in the trades, especially in those trades that are in demand,” Campbell said.
Campbell said the program now includes approximately 35 events across North America, with most taking place in Canada. The initiative focuses on addressing the growing demand for skilled workers while encouraging more young women to consider entering the trades, where participation has historically increased slowly. The program expanded into the States three years ago, and operates as a nonprofit initiative supported by North American sponsors. Despite its growth, organizers share a goal to maintain a consistent experience across all locations.
Looking ahead, there is strong interest in continuing and expanding the program, both locally and through partnerships with other institutions. Campbell said she hopes to see similar events offered at additional colleges within the Alabama Community College System.
