Fleming College

Stacey Metcalfe

Electronics Engineering Technician/Technology – Information Networks 2001

As a female leader at Toyota Canada, Stacey Metcalfe has a genuine passion for mentoring young women who are considering a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). She graduated from the Electronics Engineering Technician and Technology programs at Fleming in 2001 and was one of only a handful of female graduates in her class. Now 20 years later and with a successful career with Toyota Canada, Stacey recognizes the importance of mentoring and providing opportunities for the next generation of female leaders.

Stacey’s story is an unconventional and inspiring one. As a single mother in her early twenties, Stacey had put off post-secondary education in favour of working to support her son. By chance, Stacey met Tony, an engineering professor at Fleming College at her local gym. The two sparked a friendship and Tony suggested the engineering program to Stacey. Stacey’s response to Tony’s suggestion was to laugh.

Stacey elaborated on this reaction saying, “Perhaps it’s because we are afraid to try new things or because somewhere along the journey someone said “you can’t.” I am an artist, a poet and all things creative. When it comes to math, I still count on my fingers and it’s the reason I laughed at Tony when he suggested I enrol in an engineering program. It didn’t sound creative, fun or like something I would be successful at, and it definitely didn’t sound like something other women would be interested in. Little did I know that I would be wrong on all fronts, except for my suspicion that there would be few women enrolled in the program.”

Historically, the ratio of women to men in technology, engineering and trades has been small, but that is slowly changing. With organizations such as Skills Ontario Young Women’s Initiatives and Let’s Talk Science, both organizations that Stacey volunteers with, women are being exposed to successful female leaders.

As a volunteer with Toyota Canada Foundation, Stacey is an active mentor and shares her STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) career experiences with organizations like Let’s Talk Science”. This non-profit organization supports the development of all youth into creative, critical thinkers and knowledgeable citizens prepared for future careers in STEM and citizenship demands in a rapidly changing world. The Let’s Talk Science network is made up of post-secondary student volunteers who participate in networking sessions aimed at providing volunteers with access to experienced professionals, like Stacey.

She has also been an active volunteer with Skills Ontario’s Young Women’s Initiatives, which provides skill development and mentorship opportunities to young women in grades 7 to 12 who are interested in learning about STEM careers. Stacey has been a mentor with Skills Ontario for years—an opportunity that came from her participation in the ‘Women In Trades’ event at Fleming College.

Companies are becoming more aware of the value that women bring to skilled trades and technology roles, and they are actively trying to recruit women. Having worked in the automotive industry for the past 20 years, she has watched the change happening within the industry to attract and retain more women in roles that have historically been held by men. It’s a great time to be a young woman considering a career in one of these areas.