As Alberta’s population grows, the need for more housing will also increase, leading to a higher demand for individuals working in the trades. More women are entering the trades, like Claire LeBlanc, who started as an electrician before pursuing a career as an aircraft maintenance engineer. Her daughter, Angeline Noble, is following in her footsteps and is interested in a career in mechanics. Noble credits her mother as a role model for her confidence in pursuing the trades, as women are still underrepresented in the industry.
According to Tammy Amstutz from the Calgary Construction Association, having more women in the trades is beneficial. Currently, women make up less than one in 10 workers on-site, but efforts from organizations in Calgary and across Alberta are increasing those numbers. There are a variety of trades to choose from, and each trade offers potential career growth opportunities. Amstutz highlights the various career paths available within the construction industry, including roles like site superintendent, estimator, and project manager.
Attending events like the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) open house can help individuals explore the different options available in the trades. Noble, for example, was able to learn more about mechanics and consider a career working with cars and motorcycles. Having a supportive role model like her mother has given her the confidence to pursue a career in a male-dominated industry. Women in the trades can serve as inspiration for future generations of women looking to enter the field.
The trend of more women entering the trades aligns with the increasing demand for skilled workers in Alberta. With the construction industry playing a vital role in meeting the housing needs of a growing population, there is a need for more diverse talent. Women bring unique perspectives and skills to the trades, making them valuable members of the workforce. Efforts to promote diversity in the industry have been successful, but there is still room for growth in terms of increasing the representation of women in trades.
The construction industry in Alberta offers a wide range of career opportunities for individuals interested in the trades. From site work to office roles like estimator or project manager, there are multiple paths for career development within the industry. Women, like LeBlanc and Noble, are paving the way for future generations of women to enter the trades and contribute to the growth of Alberta’s workforce. As more women choose careers in the trades, the industry will become more diverse and inclusive, benefiting from a broader talent pool and different perspectives.
Overall, the increasing presence of women in the trades in Alberta reflects a positive trend towards greater gender diversity in the workforce. Encouraging more women to pursue careers in the trades offers opportunities for personal and professional growth while meeting the demands of a growing industry. By highlighting the successes of women like LeBlanc and Noble, the construction industry can inspire more women to consider the trades as a viable and rewarding career path. With continued efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, the trades in Alberta have the potential to become more representative of the population as a whole.
