September 22-29th marks Gender Equality Week, as recently announced by Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir. At CLRA, we believe it is essential to reflect on the representation of women in the skilled trades, especially within the construction industry. While Alberta has made significant strides toward gender equality, the underrepresentation of women in these vital fields underscore the challenges we face in the ongoing labour shortage.
Alberta is on the brink of a transformative period, with more than $22 billion in proposed or confirmed projects slated for the coming years. These initiatives, alongside the remarkable recent increase in population, present tremendous opportunities for our province in terms of economic growth and diversification. However, we cannot fully seize these opportunities without a robust skilled trades workforce. We must continue to foster a culture that encourages women to pursue careers in the skilled trades. This requires not just policy changes but a collective commitment to challenge biases and support initiatives that promote inclusivity. One way that CLRA is doing this is through our new website where we have compiled several education, apprenticeship and training resources for women looking to enter the trades. We also reshare other organizations’ – such as NAIT or Women Building Futures – content related to special events and training opportunities for women on our social media platforms.
CLRA thanks those who work tirelessly to create more equitable work and training environments for women in the trades, and we recognize that each of us has a role to play in breaking down barriers. Every Albertan deserves equal opportunities to thrive in all sectors, including those traditionally dominated by men.
Read the government’s full announcement here.
