The ACTEW Blog

Two recent items pertaining to women in non-traditional occupations:

• The Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology (CCWESTT) will have its 12th annual conference in Guelph, May 29-31. In keeping with this year's theme of "building on success", the event will highlight women’s contributions and build upon successful initiatives that have advanced women in science, engineering, trades and technology. You can learn more and register online at the conference website. Be sure to check out the statistics on Canadian women in the non-traditional sectors on the coalition's home site.
  
  
• The Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) applauds the government of Ontario’s $1.5 million investment for the Women In Skilled Trades program. The training will reach over 150 women through trades training centres in Burlington, Hamilton, Hawkesbury, Kenora, Fort Frances, Waterloo and Toronto.
  
  Yet training is only one piece of the effort needed to integrate women into the labour short trades. In an article in the Daily Commercial News and Construction Record, Angela Wilson, Chair of CAWIC, noted that,

  "Trade unions and independent contractors must be on board and embrace the notion of women in skilled trades by supporting, encouraging and providing opportunities for women. It would be short-sighted to provide funding to train women and subsequently for them to encounter difficulties in acquiring jobs within the industry."

Labels: Issues_and_Trends, Meetings_and_Events