STAFFING
Women to the Rescue
Women can be part of the answer to upcoming industry labour shortfalls
By Heather Hudson
When was the last time you saw a female iron-worker,
scaffolder, welder or crane operator
– let alone hired one? Considering that the con-struction
workforce comprises only about four to five per cent wom-en,
the sightings are probably few and far between.
All that is set to change, thanks to a partnership between two or-ganizations
aiming to solve two big societal and industry problems
with one dynamic force: skilled women in the workforce.
BuildForce Canada and Women Building Futures (WBF) recently
joined forces to lead more women into careers in construction, while
helping to revitalize an industry that will experience a skills vacuum
when baby boomers retire in droves over the next decade. The part-nership
will create awareness for job opportunities for women and
promote the development of critical skills required for success.
“There are a quarter of a million skilled tradespeople retiring
over the next 10 years and there is a smaller pool of young people
to draw from. It’s important to maximize all sources of labour,” said
BuildForce Canada’s executive director, Rosemary Sparks.
WBF president, JudyLynn Archer, says joining the construction
industry could instantly change a woman’s life.
“The annual income earned by women working full time in
Canada is currently $32,000 or less,” said Archer. “When they join
the construction industry, the average increase in income is 128 per
cent on their first day of hire.”
It’s a match made in industry heaven.
WBF and BuildForce Canada have been working for years to cre-ate
opportunities, training and awareness of careers in the industry.
WBF is a leader in trades training for women in the heavy indus-trial
workforce. They partner with employers across the country
to attract, recruit, train and support women’s advancement into
Canada’s construction and maintenance industry.
BuildForce Canada provides labour market information and
training to ensure the industry has a sustainable, mobile work-force
with the skills, knowledge and flexibility to meet the industry’s
changing demands.
Their recent partnership is bolstered by a sense of urgency. Before
the mass exodus of skilled workers begins, it’s imperative that their
knowledge is transferred to replacements.
“These are seasoned people who’ve been in the industry for a good
part of their lives. They are knowledgeable and have expertise that’s
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BUILDFORCE CANADA AND WBF
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