Women Building Futures expands women-focused trades training to Ontario and Saskatchewan

Women Building Futures (WBF), a non-profit organization founded in 1998 in Edmonton, Alberta, is now supporting unemployed women and gender-diverse individuals and those working hard in Ontario and Saskatchewan.

The non-profit recently received a total of $2.6 million in funding from the Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy under the Women and Skilled Trades Initiative which will enable WBF to provide additional training opportunities for unemployed and underemployed women in Ontario and Saskatchewan.

WBF surrounds women with the support they need to build the confidence and skills to take on careers in fields where they are historically under-represented, while supporting the closure of critical labour gaps. Since 1998, the non-profit has supported thousands of women with the critical skills needed to enter the construction trades, driving and operating industries

“If we are going to build enough housing for Canada’s middle class, we have to develop our workforce to match those needs,” said Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages.

“Today’s [March 21] investment places the focus on providing opportunities and information on skilled trades positions – so that all Canadian’s have access to high-paying positions and communities with the resources they need to succeed.”

Carol Moen, president and CEO of WBF, emphasized the significance of this investment in helping more women into careers in the skilled trades.

“Empowering women to thrive in the skilled trades is at the core of WBF’s mission. We recognize the need to eliminate barriers for women, enabling them to safely access effective pathways to economic security. We thank the Government of Canada for this critical investment and their trust in our model that continues to support women to secure resilient and thriving careers in the skilled trades,” said Moen.

WBF focuses on building strategic partnerships with governments, industry, post-secondary institutions, community organizations and Indigenous communities and organizations. These partnerships increase opportunities and support for women to enter and stay in the skilled trades while removing some of the
barriers to their success. These include raising awareness of opportunities for women in sustainable, well-paying careers in the skilled trades, providing readiness programs to help women build confidence to thrive in training
programs and chosen careers, connecting women apprentices with WBF graduates and developing employer partnerships and supporting employers to lead positive change through workforce inclusion initiatives.

“This contribution will help Women Building Futures break down barriers for unemployed and underemployed women seeking careers in the skilled trades. We look forward to expanding our support to women in Ontario and Saskatchewan, providing them with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in their careers and building connections with industry partners in those provinces that are committed to safe, equitable workplaces for women,” said Moen.

For more information about WBF, click here.