Launched on International Women’s Day in 2019, emPOWER Women in Construction is a 15-week program designed to draw more women into the construction sector. The Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development funds the program to help women who are unemployed or marginally employed develop the skills needed to pursue careers in construction.

“Currently women only comprise 5% of the workforce in construction and skilled trades, and our aim is to increase inclusion of women into this sector,” says Heidi Brandley, Director of Workforce Development, Manpower Alberta. “The program introduces participants to a variety of in-demand skills delivered in a safe and inclusive format to break down barriers and increase women’s confidence to pursue their careers within this growth sector.”

As the program enters its fourth year, it continues to pave the way for new career paths. The ongoing collaboration between SAIT and Manpower means another cohort is about to complete their 15-week journey through this one-of-a-kind training initiative.

“Through our unique combination of strengths, we leverage Manpower’s extensive labour market and industry knowledge with SAIT’s state-of-the-art instruction and facilities,” says Brandley. “Participants receive guidance and support from industry leaders in workforce development combined with hands-on practical training from those with extensive expertise in the field.”

SAIT and Manpower have signed a training contract that goes until 2027 to continue the program. “For the next five years, the women of the emPOWER program will be learning foundational skills in a variety of construction trades that will expose them to different types of work,” says Lauren Bishop, Manager, Business Development, Corporate Training Solutions at SAIT. “As inclusion and diversity remain top priorities for companies, we see these women forging paths into a traditionally male-dominated workforce and showing future generations of workers and employers the trades are for everyone!”

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