In an effort to support women interested in the trades and complete their Red Seal certification, Okanagan College (OC) and the Government of Canada have come together to support a new mentorship and education program.
Over the next three years, OC will receive $873,000 from the government through the ACTION project: Apprenticeship Completion and Networking. The goal of the project is to the progression of female apprentices in construction and manufacturing trades.
According to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, there is a 20 per cent gap in Red Seal completion between males and females, mostly due to females leaving the industry during the apprenticeship. This project and the money going towards it will hopefully lower that 20 per cent gap.
“We need more skilled trades women taking an interest in the field and pursuing it as a long-term career of choice to build the homes, bridges and infrastructure Canada needs today and into the future,” said Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Steven MacKinnon. "Today’s investment in the ACTION Program is helping support women to do just that.”
Krista Paine, the president of the Canadian Home Builders Association was at OC's Penticton campus on Friday, March 7, and commented on the new program.
“As a Red Seal Carpenter, I know firsthand working in the trades is an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career,” said Paine. “The sense of accomplishment, the creativity and the supportive community of fellow tradeswomen make it an amazing path to pursue. This program will help more women see themselves in the trades, providing confidence and support they need to thrive.”
On top of what it takes to get a Red Seal certification, education sessions will also take place including injury prevention, proper safety gear and communication.
“We know it is vital for us to be supporting the need for skilled workers and that means making space for a wider group of tradespeople and supporting their progression through the industry,” said Sara Cousins, OC manager of trades programs. “Women and other equity-deserving groups are under-represented in the trades sector and programs like this will help normalize their participation, support their success and bring greater innovation to the sector.”
The ACTION program is funded in part by the government's Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy.
