Government Funding

Hello ladies. I am on home turf right now on Vancouver Island for a couple weeks and then back on the saddle again (yes, I consider my Kenworth my loyal steed!) heading to Williams Lake, Quesnel and Smithers in August. Just heard of this awesome opportunity for women to share their stories and help shape programs for other women. It is government funded and they are looking for journey/apprectice level females. Contact me if you want a flyer with details. Audrey

 
FOCUS GROUPS are being conducted across four regions of BC to gain a better understanding of the workplace characteristics and challenges facing women working in the trades. Input from the focus groups will provide the opportunity to design services to increase the hiring and retention of tradeswomen.
LOCATIONS: Kelowna – July 19, Kamloops – July 21, Vancouver – August 4, Port Coquitlam – August 5, Victoria – August 30, Campbell River – August 31..., Prince George – September 7, Terrace / Kitimat – September 8

AWESOME: AN ACTION PLAN TO ENCOURAGE AND RETAIN MORE WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY.  In this article, the Canadian Association of Women in Construction has embarked on a 36 month project supported with $249,000 of federal funding.  At the symposium there was a panel addressing the issues and concerns facing women, as well as looking towards the future and what can be done.  I like the president of Anchor Shoring & Caissons Ltd.'s  Dawn Tattle with her words "I think one of the big secrets...is humour and having a thick skin."  I can relate. If you keep things on a lighter side rather than get defensive or offended while on the job site, it helps.  As well, to me having a tough skin means you accept that everyone, male or female, faces challenges on the work site and you find a way to let go of the fear that what happens, the challenges you face or what goes wrong happens because you are female. We tend to be sensitive, which makes us great employees, but we can take it to heart too much.  Audrey

Being a small town Vancouver Island born and raised girl, it is exciting to me when women are being encouraged and supported locally. I know from personal experience it can be intimidating and challenging to enter a non-traditional job position. However, if you are a woman who likes to be hands-on, it is incredibly empowering and liberating, not to mention lucrative, to get into industry or trades.  Read this from the B.C. government Newsroom for some great links of programs and resources. We are Everywhere Doing Everything. The photo is me, Audrey, running a concrete truck, which I did for the same company for 8 years. If I can do it, so can you.

This week in Toronto at the Women with Drive Leadership Summit Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, announced funding to support women in the trucking industry.  Read more...  I am thrilled by this on such a personal level, as I recall how challenging it was breaking into the trucking industry after getting my class 1 driver's license.  On behalf of female truck drivers, thank you!

On February 12, the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, along with Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood–Port Kells announced funding for the advancement of women in the woodworking industry, with Vancouver being one of the three Canadian cities to benefit. Click here for news story.  

This is our time ladies.  A Canada C-Suite survey found that most companies are reporting difficulties finding qualified employees, and a third of these companies report that labour shortages are preventing them from growing.  Specifically, the survey found engineers, those with technical skills, or trades people to be in demand.  The present and future retiring baby boomers are only going to increase these demands.  There has never been a better time for women to get into industry or trades.

On January 22 the Canadian government committed a million dollars for women in trades in Alberta. The funds will go to Women Building Futures.  WFB is an amazing organization that has been helping women get training and work placement in the trades since 1998. This news story goes on to say that the company TFL Industrial worked with WFB in the past and did a successful 8 week program training women in welding. From this program, 7 of the 8 women who graduated are still working at the company today. 

Being from Vancouver Island I am all for local opportunities and development, but sometimes we need to work together as Canadians to build a stronger all-gender trades workforce so here is a link to this company in Alberta that is empowering women and here are some of the job opportunies they may have for you. TFL Industrial - Careers

Audrey