Partnership aims to increase women in trades careers
Posted Nov 8, 2015 4:52 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A new partnership between three different groups in Alberta is hoping to help increase the number of women with trades careers.
Women Building Futures, the Northwest Redwater Partnership, and the Alberta Ironworkers Apprenticeship and Training Program are the three joining forces for the cause.
Jacqueline Andersen, employer of services manager with Women Building Futures told 660 NEWS, it’s all about helping women, who are the largest under-leveraged source in our province.
“The average income of women working full-time in Alberta is only $32,000 a year,” Andersen said. “Helping women build careers is good for the women, it’s sustainable for families, it’s good for business, it’s good for industry, it’s good for Albertans. That’s how it helps women at large; we’re giving them the skills that they need to succeed in new careers and getting them out of, either un or under employment.”
She said this partnership focuses on women in general, but they are hoping to engage more Aboriginal women as well.
“Between the ages of 22 and 44, there are 600,000 women in Alberta and then out of that, 6,000 of those are Aboriginal. And Aboriginal women are the fastest growing demographic of women in Alberta, so it certainly makes sense that we’re engaging with Aboriginal women,” Andersen said.
The partnership will offer a new ironworker readiness training program for women. Tuition costs are covered and work experience and employment is provided through the partnership as well.
