A Women in Trades Program Matrix for British Columbia: Priorities and Implementation

Authors:David GyarmatiBasia PakulaCam Nguyen

Shortage of skilled labour has become a pressing challenge in most skilled trades industries across Canada, and British Columbia (BC) is among the jurisdictions most affected. In many sectors, the increasing participation of women in the labour force would tend to help mitigate these shortages.

However, this is not the case for the trades. While many initiatives have been launched in various jurisdictions across Canada to encourage women to consider the trades as a viable career option, relatively few investments have been made to retain women already working in the trades.

Enhancing the Retention and Advancement of Women in Trades in British Columbia is a study conducted to provide an enriched understanding of the systemic and structural factors that present barriers to women’s participation in the trades, as well as the types of supports and services that would enhance entry and retention rates. Positioning its recommendations in the provincial context, the study provides the basis for a Women in Trades (WIT) program matrix that aligns with the unique needs of tradeswomen in British Columbia

Download Report

Project Details

Capability: Policy Research
Policy Area: Employment - Employment Supports and Services
Population: Low-skilled Workers - Women
Type: Report
Completion Date: March 2017
Sponsors: Government of Canada

Other Related Projects