Women in Trades Fact Sheet - Industry Training Authority

CHOOSE THE CAREER THAT FITS
WOMEN IN TRADES
Independence.
Job satisfaction.
Great pay.
Choose a career
in the trades.

The ITA Women in Trades Training initiative
A career in trades can mean independence, job satisfaction and great pay.
It’s your chance to find work that is valued, respected and rewarding.
A career in the trades
Today, there is a trade to suit everyone’s abilities and
interests, including yours. Tradespeople work with their
hands and their minds to meet the day’s challenges. They
work in film, aerospace, telecommunications, horticulture,
homebuilding and many other industries. In fact, there are
more than 140 trades in British Columbia.
Learning a trade helps you to become a valued member
of a dynamic workforce. There is a big demand for skilled
tradespeople in British Columbia, and the opportunities
are growing every year. Some trades are experiencing a
shortage of trained workers and with the population aging
there will be opportunities in just about every trade area.
If you are looking for work that is rewarding, well-paid and offers
limitless opportunity, we can help you find the right fit.
The support you need to get there
Women can face unique challenges when preparing for
trades careers. The ITA Women in Trades Training initiative,
sponsored by the Industry Training Authority (ITA), gives
you access to a range of training options, financial and
other supports that can help you meet those challenges.
By helping you connect to supported programs offered
by industry, non-profit, college and union partners, the ITA
can help you find your perfect fit.
Financial supports
The costs associated with training can be high. You
may be eligible for tuition funding, wage subsidies, and
funding to cover other expenses incurred during training.
Some examples include: the cost of providing childcare,
the cost of transportation to and from the training or
worksite, and even the cost of tools and equipment
required by your trade.
Hands-on experience
On-the-job training allows you to spend time in a real
workplace and gain valuable hands-on experience. That’s
why the training programs blend workplace training with
in-class learning. You will have an opportunity to see what
a career in the trades is really like.
Skills upgrading
Reaching your career goals may require skills upgrading
in a number of areas. You may need to upgrade your math
or literacy skills before qualifying for more advanced
training, or you may need to take a jobsite safety course.
This initiative can help you upgrade your skills and
prepare for the next level.
Employment support
As well as financial supports, you’ll also benefit from
introductions to potential employers and employment
counselling to help guide your career preparation.
Take the first step…
Interested in finding the career that fits Find out more
about the ITA Women in Trades Training initiative and the
opportunities available to you. Programs are available for
women of all skill levels and backgrounds.
Contact us
Call 778-328-8700 in the Lower Mainland, 1-866-660-6011
Toll Free in B.C., or e-mail info@womenintrades.ca.
You’ll also find more information at womenintrades.ca.
About the Industry Training Authority
The Industry Training Authority (ITA) helps people in B.C. reach their full potential by supporting training in the trades.
The ITA is a provincial crown agency that manages B.C.’s trades training system, working collaboratively with industry,
training providers, career counsellors, labour unions, government and others.
The ITA has made a special commitment through the Canada-B.C. Labour Market Agreement funding to support Aboriginal
people, women and immigrants in finding career opportunities in the trades.
The ITA Women in Trades Training initiative currently involves five projects operated by partner organizations, and is
part of a long-term strategy to match women’s skills to the needs of B.C.’s workplace.
Initiative funding provided by the Industry Training
Authority (ITA), through the Canada-B.C. Labour
Market Agreement between the Governments of
Canada and British Columbia. For more information
about the ITA and its programs, visit www.itabc.ca.