Manitoba construction industry focusing on women to fill labour gap
Manitoba's construction sector is facing a labour shortage. In response, construction industry associations are looking to a largely untapped pool of prospective workers: Women.
"Four per cent of our skilled tradespeople are women," said Ellowyn Nadeau, board chair of the Winnipeg Construction Association, adding that, when factoring in all professional or office roles in the sector, the percentage of women is between 12 and 14 per cent.
"With women being fifty per cent of the population, there's a huge opportunity here for women to come in," said Nadeau.
Most women don't think of construction or a skilled trade as a career path, says Nadeau, and, in response, the Winnipeg Construction Association has focused on educating students and young people on the potential career paths available to them in the sector.
One major appeal, no matter your age, is the money you can make, says Nadeau.
"I think a lot of people are under the perception that construction workers don't make a lot of money, which is completely untrue," she said, also noting that a person can earn a salary as high as $100,000 with only five to six years of experience, depending on the trade.
Right now, Manitoba's construction sector needs to replace about 4500 workers who are exiting the workforce to retire, according to the Manitoba Construction Sector Council.
Women can fill that gap.
"It's not about being the biggest and strongest in the workplace," said Carol Paul, the MCSC's executive director, "It's the one who thinks the smartest and is able to do the job best."
The MCSC has also made efforts to attract more women into the industry, notably with training programs given in communities across the province.
Here in Winnipeg, a group of Indigenous women are currently going through a course to learn the ins and outs of carpentry, while also earning high school education credits through the Seven Oaks School Division.
The program is a collaboration with Clan Mothers Healing Village and Knowledge Centre.
"Women bring balance to the workplace, expertise, attention to detail, they're organized, follow directions, and you'll see first-hand when you meet the women at Clan Mothers," said Paul.
For some of the participating students, the program is a path for them to achieve life-long dreams.
"I always wanted to be a carpenter and I always wanted to build stuff," said Amanda Brown, one of the carpentry students, "Houses for my family... and build a house for myself."
"If this was around a couple of years ago, then I definitely would have taken it," Brown said.
Once the group completes the course, they'll continue their education through practicums and other courses. Then, next year, they will help in building the Clan Mothers Healing Village in Bélair, Manitoba.
"We're building a healing village," said Patricia Lagimodiere, another carpentry student, "This is what we're made for and we're going to do this."
Lagimodiere always had an interest in building, which prompted her to join the carpentry program.
She hopes other women - or anyone - who may have similar interests to follow their passions and learn a skilled trade.
"Go for it," she said, "It's out there for you."
"It's no man, it's no woman, it's no gender. If you want to build, go build."
Construction on the Clan Mothers Healing Village is slated to begin in spring 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.