Empowering Futures: Women Building Futures expands women-focused trades training to Saskatchewan and Ontario

Published On

January 26, 2024

Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, Women Building Futures (WBF) is able to provide more training opportunities for women in Saskatchewan and Ontario.    

WBF has received $2.6 million from the Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, so the non-profit can provide more opportunities for women in Saskatchewan and Ontario to enter and stay in skilled trades careers. 

Carol Moen, president and CEO of Women Building Futures, emphasizes the significance of this growth.

“Empowering women to thrive in the skilled trades is at the core of WBF’s mission,” she says. “As we open doors to new opportunities, we help to secure a pathway for women’s economic security. By fostering strategic partnerships, we are helping create meaningful change with companies that are committed to safe, inclusive workplaces where all people can thrive.” 

Surrounded by support

For 25 years, WBF has empowered women and gender-diverse individuals in Alberta and, more recently, Saskatchewan, providing tools to break barriers on their paths to economic security.  

Economic security for women means reliable income that allows for financial independence, access to necessities such as housing and healthcare, and the capacity to weather unexpected expenses or changes in circumstances without compromising their financial stability.

Women continue to face barriers to financial independence, including access to training, safe and affordable housing, childcare, transportation and connection to employment.   

Since 2023, WBF has offered trades-readiness training in Saskatchewan with global resource company BHP. The program provides women with the hands-on skills and confidence needed to start their careers in the mining industry. 

Attracting and retaining women in the skilled trades

Expansion into Saskatchewan and Ontario renews focus on building partnerships with governments, industry, post-secondary institutes, community organizations and Indigenous communities and organizations to: 

• Raise awareness of opportunities for women in sustainable, well-paying careers in the skilled trades. 
• Provide readiness programs to help women thrive in training programs and chosen careers. 
• Connect women apprentices with WBF graduates, so more women will stay in the trades.   
• Developing employer partnerships and supporting employers to lead positive change through workforce inclusion initiatives.  

“Our partnership model is the cornerstone of our success,” Moen says. “We bring together government, the private sector and community organizations to provide the opportunities and tools to empower unemployed and underemployed women to break down barriers.”

The Women Building Futures’ Journey to Trades – Attracting and Retaining Women in the Red Seal Trades project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy.