Overview of the Project Initiatives
Building Supportive Networks and Inclusive Workplaces for Women in the Red Seal Trades
Project Duration: August 10, 2023 to August 09, 2026
The WIST (Women in Skilled Trades) project is focused on empowering women in Red Seal Trades, by providing them with the support and resources to thrive in their apprenticeships and beyond. The plan to achieve this is through professional development conferences, working with companies to develop flexible workplace policies, offering coaching services, and documenting women’s experiences to create more inclusive and empowering work environments. WIST is all about retention and advancement of women in the skilled trades, ensuring they have equal opportunities to excel and grow in their careers. This project simultaneously assists the women working in this industry while challenging the industry as whole to resolve the root issues of retention and advancement.
Overall goals pertaining to WIST:
- Increased visibility of Red Seal trades on social media, as a meaningful and viable career path for women
- Increased employer capacity to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace where women feel supported, valued and safe
- Increased participation of women in at least 3 of the in-demand Red Seal trades, and increased participation in formal professional development events
- Increased women participants’ confidence in getting Red Seals Certificates
- Increased number of leaders understanding and responding to barriers faced by women in Red Seal Trade
About Build a Dream
Build a Dream delivers specialized programs to encourage and empower female students to explore careers where women are under-represented, while also working to create a gender-balanced workforce and change global perspectives on women’s contribution to society.
Focused programs include hands-on learning camps, advancement workshops, and high-demand career discovery expos, which highlight skilled trades, STEM, emergency response, entrepreneurship, and leadership opportunities.