The BC Government marked International Women’s Day with Premier John Horgan unveiling Thursday supports for women building a career in the trades.
Two groups according to a news release were selected to develop a range of programs with one led by the BC Construction Association and the other by the BC Federation of Labour.
Services and programs include:
- outreach and mentoring for tradeswomen
- leadership-development training to improve workplace culture by addressing bullying and harassment in the workplace
- employer-human resource supports including a virtual team to help develop customized workplace policies, plus onsite mediation to manage staff situations
- exemplary employer campaigns to recognize employers.
Funding for the programs is expected to be up to $1.8 million over two years.
“It’s no secret that women in the construction trades face unnecessary challenges,” said BC Construction Association president Chris Atchison.
“The retention rates for tradeswomen are notoriously low, and employers know they need to do better. This funding unites a powerful group of industry partners with a laser focus on improving retention of women, and I see it as a very real opportunity for progress.”
Only 5% of apprentices in the construction trades are women, and less than 3% of working women in the province are in the building trades.