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Tag: tradeswomen

  • Why Women Should Go Into the Trades

    Why Women Should Go Into the Trades

    If you’ve ever thought, or heard someone say, that working in the trades “isn’t for women,” it’s important to know that this simply isn’t true.  It can even be difficult to ignore this idea, when you see that most professions in the trades right now do employ mostly men.

    However, young women who are planning their future should give serious thought to entering a trade, because anyone with the skills and determination can excel at and make a great living for themselves in the trades.

    But why are there so few women working in the trades?  There are several misconceptions that can contribute to women not entering the trades.  Among these misconceptions is the idea that either trades careers are not challenging, or that they require specialized skills that are difficult to acquire.  As it happens, both of these ideas are incorrect.  Trades careers offer challenging, engaging work with sophisticated equipment, large projects, and diverse groups of people.

    For those young women who think that they don’t have the right skills, the fact is that many trades use transferable skills you likely already possess, such as leadership and teamwork.  Everything else can be taught, through education and training opportunities such as a college program, internship, or apprenticeship in your chosen trade.

    The other common concern of many young women considering the trades is the perception that because a skilled trade is currently made up of mostly men, that this means female workers will be unwelcome or unappreciated.

    The truth is that yes, it can be hard to be the only woman in your workplace, and yes, there can be difficulties where you have to “prove yourself.”  But by breaking this ground yourself, you will make it easier for the young women who enter the trades after you – and you may even be able to mentor a young woman entering your trade in the future, as well.

    It’s important for more women to enter the trades for several reasons, but perhaps the most important is that all jobs, from the trades to the CEO’s office, will benefit from a diverse mix of employees.  Women bring unique thoughts, methods, and ideas to the workplace, which enriches everyone in the company, and the trade itself.

    So if you’re considering a trades career, do your research.  Learn what is involved in the trade, what skills or schooling you will need, and what kind of living you can make from a trades career.  Then go for it!  Every trade will be the better for having more women involved.

    Sources:

    http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/resources-for-women

    https://www.conestogac.on.ca/trades/women/

    http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2012/03/12/women-working-skilled-trades

  • Women in Skilled Trades – The Time is Now

    Women in Skilled Trades – The Time is Now

    You’re a girl that knows what she wants.

    Rolling up your sleeves for a demanding, rewarding, and well-paying career that combines both your hands-on and creative interests; that’s the future you want. And now is the perfect time to go get it!

    Currently, the Canadian government is working to address a skills mismatch, which has many workers under trained or unprepared for the current economy’s workforce.

    According to a February 2013 publication titled Looking for a job? Why you should consider a trade in The Globe and Mail, there will be a shortage of one million tradespeople in Canada by 2020. For women interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, this means that now is the perfect time to start the path to career success in this high-demand industry.

    While some may be nervous to start a career in the skilled trades, which has been and is predominantly male, there are a number of support programs and aids available to assist women as they train for a career in the trades.

    The government of Ontario offers a Women in Skilled Trades and Information Technology Training program, which provides unemployed and underemployed women in communities with a high demand for skilled trades and IT professionals funding and training both in-class and on-the-job.

    Additionally there are other organizations and support programs throughout the province, country, and world dedicated to women interested in the trades. For example, Women in Nuclear (WIN) offers mentorship, networking and professional development opportunities for women interested in nuclear energy.

    Similarly, the Canadian Association of Women in Construction provides support for women interested in pursuing a successful career in the construction industry.

    There are plenty of other programs designed for women interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, offering a community of mentorship, funding, networking, and support specifically for women.

    With a growing presence of women entering the skilled trades, there has also been a growing presence of women’s skilled trades equipment and clothing. Moxie Trades provides mentorship, support, and apparel for women working in the trades. Whether it’s pink work boots, hard hats or safety glasses, or speaking at events across North America, Moxie Trades is a voice for women in the trades.

    Once thought of as primarily a male industry, women are moving toward more inclusion in the skilled trades.

    If you’re looking for a rewarding, secure, financially stable career in your future – it’s time to invest in the next steps toward a career in the skilled trades.