 Girls from local high schools were able to get a VIP tour of some of the trades at Central Lakes College today. Sarah Winkelman takes us on the tour for this week's Golden Apple. High school girls got a chance to get some hands-on experience in several of the trade programs at CLC. We want to make sure that girls in the region are aware that though these careers might be male dominated in some areas we really want to make sure girls understand that they have the skills and the confidence and the experience to be very successful in these programs and very successful in these careers. Students from seven local high schools participated in the second annual Women in Trades Day. I really believe that without that opportunity we might miss different careers and things that they just might not have been aware of. One of the stops included the greenhouse to learn more about horticulture. I think that it is wonderful for the students to see the plants and to kind of think about all of the industries that support the plants. From hort therapy to food that we eat, plants that we grow in our gardens, the floral design and the interior designing end of things. Other lessons included welding, natural resources and mobile app development. We kind of call it our flappers. Students will come in and they'll say this is what I want to be when I grow up and then they start to look at all the other things that are connected with those industries. During the day, high school students are able to talk to those currently enrolled in those programs at Central Lakes College. Just meeting them and seeing how they do everything and knowing that there's girls here that do it, it's nice. For one senior who plans to pursue a career in welding, it was an inspirational day to weld with another girl. It was just a wonderful fantastic thing or deal to weld with her. I've been here before a couple times welding with the guys here, but it was really cool to weld with another girl and have that opportunity. Even though many students are still undecided on their future careers, today got many of them thinking about taking a path towards a trade. For this week's Golden Apple, in Brainerd, Sarah Winkelman, Lakeland News. There were 23 female students in attendance for the girls in trade. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.