Recently, Lisa Weatherby, dean of academic services of Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), and Seema Lal, president of Canadian Construction Women, spoke with Stacy Thomas of Canadian HR Reporter on how we need to support work environments for women in trades. Lisa discussed the transformational approach the industry needs to be taking with the culture in these workplaces. Seema said employers have to think about the obstacles that are preventing women from applying for these positions, and offer support to alleviate some of those barriers.

According to Procore’s recent report, How We Build Now – Technology and industry trends shaping Canadian construction in 2023, almost four in 10 (38%) of Canadian decision makers in construction believe there is a need to improve diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) in the industry, but only 41% have a DEI policy in place. In Ontario, new proposed legislation related to women on the jobsite is helping to shine a brighter light on inclusivity, but there are many issues and factors to consider. Lisa and Seema provided their thoughts and experiences related to women in the trades in this article that takes a close look at how things have been for women in the skilled trades historically, and what needs to change going forward.

Read the full article for their insights here.

Learn more about how Procore.org, the social impact arm of Procore, works with SAIT to support future workers and to attract women to the skilled trades – click here.

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