ConnectHER

ConnectHER aims to recruit, retain, and support women in Red Seal trades through a female-led mentorship program to help increase the number of women entering and staying in the trades.

National ConnectHER Network for Tradeswomen & Allies

(For anyone in the skilled trades industry in Canada)

Journey to Success for Women Apprentices: BCCWITT’s Local Impact Project

(for Women Apprentices in BC only)

This project intends to identify where women encounter obstacles, why and when they leave the skilled trades, and how mentorship and other wraparound supports affect their decisions to stay. As the leader of the ConnectHER project, Fanshawe Corporate Training Solutions is building a national community to ignite a movement and drive diversity, equity, and inclusion in male-dominated industries. ConnectHER will encompass an accessible platform to connect with like-minded individuals and tradeswomen and allow participation in discussions, education, workshops, and other local-to-you activities across Canada in both official languages. 

If we want more girls and women to consider the skilled trades, we need to allow them to see that it is possible. Together, as the ConnectHER Community, we can break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create inclusive work environments where everyone can thrive. Join us in championing women in skilled trades and building a future where talent and skill are celebrated regardless of gender. 

Tradeswomen and allies are invited to join the national ConnectHER conversation! Please fill out the form below or click here: 

BCCWITT’s “Journey to Success for Women Apprentices” seeks to address barriers that women apprentices face that can prevent them successfully completing their apprenticeship, achieving journey status, and the economic prosperity and security that a Red Seal in the skilled trades may bring. What do you need to prepare for and complete a successful journey? BCCWITT’s Journey to Success for Women Apprentices will take a robust and fulsome approach to supporting women apprentices, recognizing that there are many and varied supports required to address the multiple obstacles and barriers experienced by women apprentices.

The Journey to Success for Women Apprentices Project will:

  • Help prepare for a journey – conducting research to understand what barriers and obstacles may be in the path and how to address and overcome them.
  • Provide advice and support from others who have taken the journey – connecting with other tradeswomen, through peer support networks, virtual and in-person events, and mentorship.
  • Build a roadmap to navigate the journey – guidance and directions to help navigate the apprenticeship system.
  • Provide access to education and training – leadership training for women apprentices to empower them to take ownership of their journey and advocate for themselves.
  • Enable safe spaces and places – work with employers to create safe, healthy, and respectful workplaces for women apprentices; provide employers best practices and supports to recruit and retain tradeswomen; create safe spaces for tradeswomen on their journey through peer support, virtual and in-person events.
  • Celebrate the journey – highlight stories from tradeswomen to increase representation and inspire others.

Participant Eligibility for BCCWITT’s “Journey to Success for Women Apprentices” program:

  1. Woman living in British Columbia
  2. Registered as an apprentice (all levels) in a maintenance or construction skilled trade

Participant expectations: 

  1. Participate in at least five virtual training sessions facilitated by BCCWITT
  2. Sign up for BCCWITT’s network and receive BCCWITT’s newsletter
  3. Contribute on ConnectHER project Slack community
  4. Attend at least one in person meet-up facilitated by BCCWITT
  5. Attend at least one virtual meet-up facilitated by BCCWITT
  6. Respond to BCCWITT surveys
  7. Provide testimonial to BCCWITT about experience in the program

To register as a participant for BCCWITT’s program “Journey for Success for Women Apprentices” complete the form below.