Northwest Territories, Boost Opportunities For Women To Enter The Trades Sector

Most trades are recognized internationally and provide a great source of income to live and raise a family within Canada.

Decades ago, it would be hard-pressed to find a woman working within the various trades industry dominated by men. Fortunately, society has evolved enough to understand that given the opportunity, women can do any job just as equally as their male counterparts.

Women are also the fastest-growing demographics to enter into the trades sector. They are not only entering as skilled workers but they are also being put leadership positions, such as site foreman, superintendents and project managers. These are all prominent positions that were at one point in society, only reserved for men.

Over the weekend, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and Skills Canada NWT announced a partnership to present a Girls in Trades Workshop. The workshop is designed to provide opportunities for female students to explore the trades as a potential career path with the added bonus, of boosting their confidence, teaching life skills and empowering them as young women to pursue a career path largely dominated by men.

“This workshop allows female students to experience some of the opportunities that a career in the trades can offer. Participants will learn first-hand what a career in the trades could look like and gain valuable insights into these rewarding career options that provide excellent compensation while delivering quality services and contributions to our communities.” Said – R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE)

Partnerships like these are important especially in a territory that does not have the same amount of employment opportunities as the provinces. The program will consist of a free workshop scheduled for Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Kimberlite Career and Technical Centre from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Participants will explore different skilled trades and technology opportunities through fun, engaging, and hands-on activities. This initiative is targeted at female students aged 13 to 17 from Yellowknife, Ndilǫ, Dettah and Behchokǫ̀.

Although women can have fulfilling careers in trades; currently fewer than five per cent of apprentices in the NWT are women. With the new partnership with Skills Canada, the ECE is actively working to increase the number of female apprentices.

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