Traditional gender-based views of careers Shouldn’t stop you
Worldwide, studies have shown that often women will grow up with a strong influencer – such as a teacher, a guidance counsellor, or a parent – who will guide their student or child into “traditional” careers based on gender. You might not have even noticed it happening.
But think about this: why are careers in the construction industry so “untraditional” for women? Women can handle the same power tools and operate the same machinery as men. Many women love to build things and get a lot of satisfaction from working with their hands – just like many men. So why shouldn’t you pursue a career that matches your aptitudes and abilities – one that you can be passionate about – regardless of traditional views. Research by BuildForce Canada suggests that a main reason why more women don’t enter the skilled trades is because of the lack of information available for getting started. We’re here to change that.
Low-income women in Canada face a larger wage gap with their male counterparts than low-income women in most other OECD countries. Getting more women into skilled trades positions can be part of the solution to changing this equation.
—Marcia Smith, “More women in skilled trades is a win-win,” The Globe and Mail
The State of Women in Construction in Canada
The literature reviewed for research on The State of Women in Construction in Canada report showed repeatedly that high school girls see themselves as lacking the intelligence and ability for science, trades and technology careers.
Is a career in the skilled trades right for you?
We’re not going to sugar-coat things – working in the skilled trades is hard work, but if you like a challenge and want a fulfilling career (not just a job), then read on.
To be successful, you need to “pull your own weight” – that means listening, learning, doing – and then you will be respected and treated equally. You need to be motivated, determined and confident, as well as flexible and adaptable. But above all else, you need to have a passion for what you’re doing. If you’ve got that, then there are no limits to what you can do and accomplish!
WHAT TO DO NEXT
Use the Career Finder to explore more than 50 careers in the construction industry. It can help you narrow down your options by specifying criteria such as whether or not you want a career that keeps you close to home, do you prefer to work in cities versus remote areas and things like that, which you may need to consider if you’ve got kids.
Organizations that help women to get started in the construction trades
There are some great organizations and programs out there to help introduce you to the various trades (so you can decide which is right for you), provide or direct you to training, and some even work with employers to get you the experience you need, and in some cases, a permanent full-time job.
Canadian Construction Women and the Canadian Association of Women in Construction – boasting diverse memberships – from skilled trades, to project managers, general contractors, estimators, lawyers, engineers and architects – both offer mentorship opportunities to advise, guide and assist women on industry challenges they may face
Manitoba Women in Construction aims to build the long-term success of women in Manitoba’s construction industry by providing a resource for support, mentoring, networking, community involvement and education. They host a variety of social events and professional development seminars a year, including their signature mentoring event, Building HER Story.
Build a Dream offers specialized programs that help women and girls explore under-represented careers, while partnering with industry to create an inclusive workforce.
Women on Site was born out of a genuine need for connection and support within the building industries. Their unique focus on networking, mentorship, and community building is ensuring the retention of a diverse workforce. Women on Site has a number of regional chapters across the country.
Women Building Futures (WBF) is a leader in trades training for women, with extensive experience in recruiting women into the heavy industrial workforce in Alberta. Its employment placement rate is 90%! The great thing about this program is that you get to try a variety of trades before deciding which one you’d like to pursue further.
The BC Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT) aims to increase the retention and advancement of women in the trades through targeted supports and programs, including outreach and mentoring.
The British Columbia Institute of Technology’s Trades Discovery for Women program allows women to gain hands-on experience in about 20 different trades and prepares them to successfully enter and complete trades/technical training or to seek apprenticeship.
The BC Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT) aims to increase the retention and advancement of women in the trades through targeted supports and programs, including outreach and mentoring.
Manitoba Women in Construction aims to build the long-term success of women in Manitoba’s construction industry by providing a resource for support, mentoring, networking, community involvement and education. They host a variety of social events and professional development seminars a year, including their signature mentoring event, Building HER Story.
New Boots is a provincial network in New Brunswick for tradeswomen, run by tradeswomen. They aim to promote, support, and mentor tradeswomen and their employer in non-traditional skilled trades. Whether you’re thinking about pursuing a skilled trade, looking to meet other tradeswomen, need help finding employment, or simply seeking a mentor, they have you covered. They will also help you navigate your apprenticeship and explore career advancement options that suit you.
Women in Resource Development Corporation (WRDC) helps women in Newfoundland and Labrador get started in the construction trades. WRDC and its Educational Resource Center (ERC) offer a variety of programs and services including career exploration programs for girls and young women and career counselling and employment assistance services for women.
The Office to Advance Women Apprentices (OAWA) partners with employers, unions, government and training institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan to help secure employment opportunities for women in the skilled trades. It has helped hundreds of women obtain jobs in the trades.
The Industry Training Authority’s (ITA) Women in Trades Training (WITT) program provides training, financial assistance and support for eligible women living in British Columbia who are thinking about a career in the skilled trades, but are unemployed or employed and low-skilled. It offers introductory trades training that allows you to experience a variety of trades, helps you get job ready, and works with employers to sponsor women for apprenticeship placement.
Created by the Central Ontario Building Trades, the Hammer Heads Program is a skill and employment-based training program that offers apprenticeship career opportunities to Indigenous youth and youth in under-resourced neighbourhoods in Ontario’s Greater Toronto Area. As a community-based initiative, Hammer Heads takes pride in giving back to their communities by delivering meaningful careers, not temporary jobs, focusing on 100% success and retention strategies.
Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) offers training opportunities for women in Windsor-Essex County, Ontario, to prepare them for employment. Their programs include those geared to second careers, apprenticeship and skilled trades.
The Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) and Information Technology Training program at Ontario’s The Centre for Skills Development & Training provides eligible women with the tools and training to launch their career in the residential construction industry.
The Women’s Network PEI supports unemployed and underemployed women to explore, prepare for, obtain and maintain employment in the trades and industrial technology fields. Their Trade HERizons project aims to increase the number of women in non-traditional trades and technology occupations on Prince Edward Island.
The Women in Trades and Technology (WITT) team at Saskatchewan Polytechnic provides programming and pre-employment information to those who are interested in accessing non-traditional careers. There are also multiple supports available for those who are currently working or studying in a trade or technology in Saskatchewan.
Quebec’s Les Elles de la Construction promotes the role of women in the field of construction, at all levels: women entrepreneurs, women as project managers and tradeswomen. They also provide training to members as needed.
