Did you know that only 6% of workers in the construction trades are women? We can do better. You can help.
During the recent renovation of our building, we’re proud that we had twice that number: 12 percent of the construction workforce were women. We talked with Jackie, a drywaller, and Stephanie, an electrician, to hear their stories about working in the trades.
Spoiler alert: they loved it!
Which brings us to IFIT—Inclusive Futures in Industry and Trades. We’re asking women who are interested in a trade to join us for a day of job shadowing in small groups, learning about the trade and providing feedback on the experience.
“IFIT is not a training program. We want your feedback to support changes in workplace policies that will make it easier for women to succeed in the trades. It is about gender equity and creating diverse and psychologically safe workplaces,” explains Zoë Dowdall, our project specialist for IFIT.
IFIT is designed to provide trades and industrial employers with feedback from female high school students, women living with low income and gender diverse individuals who are interested in working in these sectors but face barriers to employment.
“We want to help employers get a better understanding of the internal and external barriers to participation in their workplace, and help them take steps to mitigate those barriers through changes to their policies, practices and work environment,” Zoë says.
Try on a few different trades
Zoë hopes that participants in IFIT will complete a few days of job shadowing to get an inside look at a few different trades and industrial jobs.
Following the participants’ job shadow, the Skills Centre will work with the employers to develop a plan to implement or integrate the recommended changes from the feedback.
“That’s where our participants in IFIT will make a difference. They will learn about a trade, and at the same time they’ll share their experiences to help local trades and industry employers break down barriers in the workplace.”
Are you interested in a trades and industry job, but not sure if it’s right for you? If you’re a young woman in grades 10-12, a woman living with low income, or a gender diverse individual, we encourage you to join the IFIT program.
Participants will be paid to attend job shadow placements, and transportation support and refreshments are included. IFIT is available in Nelson, Castlegar and Trail and outlying areas.
Contact Zoë for more information on how to secure your spot! Job shadow dates coming soon!
