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Build Together members, through their lobbying and outreach Over the last four years, the Federal Government has created
efforts have been making their mark – not just to get their voices funding to support the skilled trades including providing $25
heard on important issues like healthcare, but to address the lack million in financial support to unions to purchase modern
of women in the trades. Women make up 50% of the population equipment materials and test innovative training methods; an
yet, a dismal 3-4% of the skilled trades. Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women; and Investing $46
million over five years for a new program to develop and enhance
“Build Together has demonstrated to women that they are capable
pre-apprenticeship training which will help Canadians, and
of taking on underrepresented roles and that there is opportunity
particularly underrepresented groups such as women, Indigenous
in the skilled trades to put your skills and abilities to work. I believe
peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities and
Build Together’s work around inclusion has helped to keep women
newcomers.
in the trades. With work being done to create more respectful
workplaces, this is helping in the retention of our tradeswomen.” “I hope to see more funding and initiatives to bring more women
Alison Casey, Nova Scotia Build Together Chapter. “I believe there and equity groups into the trades. The trades are commonly
are still deep rooted, systemic issues that need to be addressed looked down on as a lesser job, and we need to change this
for more women to participate in politics. The issue of gender stereotype. Trades are the other four- year degree, and are such
equality is very much real. I am encouraged to see more female viable, stable careers. I look forward to seeing more projects come
candidates put their names forward, but there is still work to be into place to help diversify the construction industry and to see
done. My hope for future political leaders is that they focus more every group represented.” - Correy Anderson-Fennell, BC Build
on collaboration, and less on "tearing" each other down. To put Together Chapter.
the good of the country, the constituents they represent, above
Through the Union Training and Innovation Program, the Federal
their personal or party views.”
Government, last February, announced $3.1 million in funding to
open three provincial Offices to Advance Women Apprentices.
Where this office exists, women in trades stands at 13 per cent,
compared to the 3-4% elsewhere in the country. These offices will
provide support to assist women to complete their apprenticeship,
gain employment, understand the funding that exists to support
them and how to navigate a complicated system.
“I think the government has done a great job at providing funding
for women who are already in apprenticeship however there don't
seem to be any supports for women trying to take pre-
apprenticeship training. Not every woman looking into the trades
is EI eligible and I have personally seen two women abandon their
pre-apprenticeship program because they found out there would
be no financial assistance available to them while taking the
courses.” – Melanie Driscoll, Nova Scotia, Build Together Chapter.

It’s the tradeswomen across the country that have stood up and
got involved that will continue to make a difference for women and
other underrepresented groups in our industry, and how they’ll
vote this election, matters.

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