Women in Trades

With the high labour market demand in BC for skilled tradespeople, driven by BC’s growing LNG and other sectors need, there's never been a better time for women to consider a career in the trades. Tradeswomen of all ages across British Columbia are discovering that trades work offers a great level of job satisfaction, independence and good pay.

Many of British Columbia's community college and career colleges now offer program offerings ranging from trades exploration to pre-apprenticeship training to match the current labour market demand.

British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) offers one such program called Trades Discovery for Women that prepares female students for trades and technical training and apprenticeships. This program exposes participants to programs from a number of sectors including construction, transportation and manufacturing giving them hands-on experience in everything from framing a small house to working on aircraft mechanical systems.  Participants will receive training and certification in proper tool use, lift truck operation, occupational first aid and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.  Additional the program provides a valuable two weeks of unpaid work experience.

For other trade program offerings that range from trades exploration to pre-apprenticeship training please check the listing here.