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.
BRITISH COLUMBIA – Over and over, and for years, the construction industry has decried the need for more skilled trade workers.
Slowly but surely, women have identified the opportunities that trades positions provide in terms of work fulfillment and family-raising wages. Even so, the Canada’s Building Trades Union (CBUT) states that women only make up 4 percent of the construction workforce nation-wide. Plenty of opportunities exist.
Build Force Canada suggests that parents are typically those who provide lead guidance into careers, and traditionally, construction and trades-based options haven’t been positively identified for women. But that is changing.
“Why are careers in the construction industry so ‘untraditional’ for women?,” Build Force Canada’s website asks. “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.”
Working in the skilled trades is hard work, but if someone would like a challenge and want a fulfilling career (not just a job), then trades are ideal.
“To be successful, you need to ‘pull your own weight’ – that means listening, learning, doing – and then you will be respected and treated equally,” Build Force Canada states. “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!”
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.
There are a number of organizations across the country that encourage women in construction trades, including the Canadian Association of Women in Construction, Canadian Construction Women, and the BC Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT).
BCCWITT states that is working to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive skilled trades industry, where all feel welcome, healthy, respected and safe. It is a partnership led by tradespeople, along with industry and labour representatives and operates under the umbrella of the BC Federation of Labour.
It provides connection, funding, resources and supports for equity priority tradespeople across the province, along with offering programs, tools and resources to individuals and organizations that support the attraction, retention and advancement of equity priority people in skilled trades careers.
New Construction Safety Gear For Women
Mark’s Commercial is leading the charge to ensure that safety gear in the construction industry is designed with women in mind.
Mark’s Commercial announced that it is committed to providing high-quality, accessible PPE that meets the diverse needs of women in the workforce, and has introduced a dedicated Women’s PPE site, which offers properly fitting, inclusive safety gear.
Mark’s Commercial Brand Ambassador is two-time Olympic boxer Mandy Bujold, who captured 11 Canadian National Championships and back-to-back gold medals at the Pan American Games.
Bujold’s fight for gender equity, highlighted by her precedent-setting victory against the IOC, has transformed the landscape of women’s sports, and Mark’s Commercial has chosen her to lead the way, viewing her as perfectly aligned with their latest initiative.
Past Chair Legacy Fund Opportunity
The BC Construction Association (BCCA) recently announced the launch of the Past Chair Legacy Fund, a new initiative designed to support the development of the construction industry, at the end of the eighth annual Construction and Skilled Trades Month in April.
The Past Chair Legacy Fund is a celebration and manifestation of the BCCA’s commitment to cultivating a skilled and professional workforce in the construction sector, and will provide funding for eligible trade and other professional construction career pathways, ensuring the continued growth and success of the industry. All eligible individuals are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this educational opportunity.
“As an industry, we recognize that our most valuable asset is our people,” says BCCA President Chris Atchison. “By offering an educational fund to construction industry workers, we are investing not only in their personal and professional growth but also in the future of the entire sector.”
The Past Chair Legacy Fund will award up to four applicants each year, with one recipient chosen from the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Northern, and the Southern Interior regions respectively. The Fund is managed by the BCCA, who will oversee the application process, adjudication, and administration.
Applications are now open and available through the BCCA website, and applications close June 15. Following a month-long review by the fund committee, the notification to successful applicants will be made July 30.
“This initiative empowers workers to enhance their skills, adapt to evolving technologies, and take on leadership roles, ensuring our industry remains competitive and innovative,” adds Atchison. “We are proud to support the hardworking individuals who are the backbone of our infrastructure and communities.”
Applicants can submit their applications online at bccassn.com/past-chair-legacy-fund-application-page/.
The BCCA is a non-profit organization representing the interests of the construction industry in the province. The BCCA is committed to ensuring a productive and prosperous construction sector by advocating for industry needs, providing valuable resources, and promoting best practices.
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