AUBURN — New Ventures Maine is offering a hands-on, half-day event designed to encourage girls to consider careers in fields traditionally dominated by men. The Totally Trades Conference will bring together over 70 ninth-graders from schools throughout Androscoggin County on Friday, May 19, at Central Maine Community College.

The Totally Trades Conference will feature sessions ranging from building construction, plumbing, and heavy equipment, to forensics, automotive technology, and welding — all providing opportunities for girls to experience aspects of the professions through hands-on activities.

“Totally Trades offers hands-on experiences in nontraditional careers for females — careers historically filled by males,” said Chris Davis, conference planner and Workforce Specialist with New Ventures Maine.

“We want attendees to open their thinking and remove the potential barrier of gender when considering careers,” said Davis.

Jim Horn, Aspirations Coordinator for Edward Little High School, initiated the effort to bring Totally Trades to this area.

The conference is a free, half-day event for Androscoggin County girls in the ninth grade. Funding for the activity is made possible through money and in-kind services provided by the Maine Department of Transportation, Maine Department of Education/CTE, and other local sponsors.

Participating high schools include Edward Little, Lewiston, Leavitt, Oak Hill, St. Dominic’s and Lisbon.

The conference is generously supported by Central Maine Community College, which serves as the host site for the event.

FMI: 207-753-6531.

Androscoggin girls in the ninth grade will have the chance for hands on work in order to consider careers in fields traditionally dominated by men at the Totally Trades Conference on May 19.