Explore the range of support and opportunities
WITHIN OUR NETWORK
The goal of attracting, supporting and retaining women in the skilled trades is an objective shared by many organizations throughout Ontario and Canada. We're proud to promote a spectrum of organizations who offer a diverse range of supports for both future and current female apprentices, in the form of advice and information, career exploration, training, scholarships and financial support, guidance and mentorship and more!
Read about these amazing organizations below, and visit their sites to learn more by clicking on their logo.
The BOLT Foundation helps under-resourced youth, 17-29 years old in the Greater Toronto Area, connect to careers in construction. BOLT creates awareness about the diversity of careers in the industry through Speak Outs, offers immersive career exploration through Days of Discovery and Job Shadowing, and provides financial assistance for post-secondary and skilled training programs. Tridel is BOLT's Principal & Founding Sponsor.
Build A Dream is a national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion to ensure equitable opportunities for everyone. They collaborate with speakers, community leaders and businesses to provide a range of programs and workshops to inspire women and under-represented communities. They connect industry to students, facilitating awareness and providing career discovery expos, and help businesses to attract, recruit and fill their talent pipeline whilst also providing support.
The Ontario Building & Construction Tradeswomen (OBCT) seek to improve the recruitment and retention of women construction workers in Ontario. They advocate for women and underrepresented gender identities in the trades to ensure they feel inspired, welcomed, motivated, challenged, and empowered. They do so by building awareness about the benefits of a career in trades, such as - financial independence, job stability, benefits & pension, and growth opportunities, via the providing support, training, peer mentorship, research, and collective advocacy.
The Young Women's Christian Association of Canada (YWCA) is the country's oldest and largest women's multi-service organization, 32 associations operating in more than 400 communities across Canada. They offer women a chance to build a sustainable future in non-traditional occupations, partnering with colleges, unions, employers, and business leaders to provide competitive, gender-based and inclusive training programs for women interested in entering the construction, landscaping, and technology industries.
KickAss Careers is a unique and leading-edge program providing engaging presentations, insights and authenticity to encourage young women and men to follow a career path offering economic security, practical knowledge and lifelong skills - a career in the skilled trades. Pat and Jamie understand the importance of diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace, and this is reflected in their inclusive program that raises awareness about apprenticeship and career pathways in the skilled trades and technology.
Skills Ontario is building Ontario's skilled trades and technologies workforce by enabling and empowering youth and under-represented groups to consider a career in the skilled trades. They engage with students, teachers, parents, volunteers and guest speakers to connect education, experience and employment. They focus on growth sectors such as construction and infrastructure, technology innovation, and hospitality.
We Are Trades was developed by the Canadian Coalition for Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology (CCWESTT) and is funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada. We Are Trades provides employers with actionable steps to establish a safe and inclusive workplace for women. This is a journey and a process that takes time and dedication. We Are Trades is designed to guide successful workplace change in three steps: Commit, Create and Sustain.
Women in HVAC-R Canada's mission is to provide a forum to promote the inclusion and advancement of women in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) industry in Canada. They strive to achieve their objectives through networking, education, mentoring and professional development activities specifically dedicated to supporting women in building long-term productive careers in a thriving, essential services industry.
CAF-FCA is a non-profit organization that connects Canada's apprenticeship community. Participants work collaboratively to support vibrant and innovative apprenticeship systems and policies with a view to Employers, unions, equity-seeking groups, educational institutions, and the jurisdictions support their operations through membership.
RESCON is Ontario's leading association of residential builders committed to providing leadership and fostering innovation in the industry. They focus on labour relations, building code reform and technical standards, building science and innovation, health and safety, market housing affordability, labour supply, training and education. To help address the skilled trades shortage, Rescon partner with a range of education providers, host events and support Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) programs.
The Canadian Association of Women in Construction is a not-for-profit organization formed to enhance the success and empowerment of women in Canadian construction. Members include women employed in construction and related fields, working in partnership with individuals, foundations, governments, and the not-for-profit and private sectors to empower women to be agents of economic development, political stability, social change, and pursue more careers in construction. Programs include education, events, bursaries, and mentorship.
Sponsored by John Deere, Women in Construction is a special news site from Annex Business Media that celebrates the accomplishments of successful women in the industry. It brings together the editorial teams and audiences from four of Canada's leading business-to-business - Rock to Road, Crane & Hoist Canada, Onsite, and Canadian Consulting Engineer - and are proud to highlight the accomplishments of women in the construction sector.
Women in Steel Toes (W.I.S.T.) has a simple goal - to support women in the industry and inspire the next generation of construction workers. Their message is communicated via their Podcasts and Blogs and has echoed and grown into a community of women and men alike who are striving to grow the industry and show people how great a career in construction can be, whilst challenging stereotypes and breaking down industry barriers.
Tomorrow's Trades is a free workforce development program created to build pathways and remove barriers for underrepresented groups in the skilled trades - women, indigenous youth, black youth, persons with disabilities, newcomers, at-risk youth, veterans and cadets, and those from racialized communities. Their program equips those interested in pursuing a skilled trade career in construction with essential skills needed to become a high-quality and successful apprentice.
Women's Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor (WEST) provides support to women in Windsor-Essex County and works to aid women in achieving their goals through acquiring employment, training and skill development, plus aiding newcomers and immigrants with their settlement into their community. They work with partners and supporters to provide an extensive range of programs and workshops, including training, pre-apprenticeship programs, introductory courses, employability skills and more.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit housing organization with a global vision of ensuring everyone has a safe and decent place to live. They mobilize communities - volunteers, donors and partners - to help working, lower-income families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. They are currently running a women's '2022 Women (re)Build - Durham' program to bring together women to help build affordable housing within the Durham region.
Women On Site is a non-profit organization that unites and empowers women and underrepresented individuals in the trades, construction, manufacturing, and STEM industries. Through a range of carefully curated events, WOS actively combats the deep-seated isolation that often accompanies underrepresentation in these fields. The WOS community is built on the transformative power of shared experiences. By coming together, members discover a profound sense of belonging and connection that serves as a constant source of inspiration, empowerment, and upliftment for each individual involved.
MCA Canada's Women in Mechanical Construction is a forum through which women who work in mechanical construction share experiences, seize opportunities, and learn skills that will help them advance their careers. It provides networking, education, mentoring and professional development programs specifically dedicated to helping women in mechanical construction build long and productive careers in the industry. The Women in Mechanical in Mechanical Initiative compose of a group of dynamic individuals that are passionate about supporting women in the mechanical trades.
This Employment Ontario Program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
