Wo-Built Is Talking to George Brown about Training Courses for Women in the Finishing Trades

...want to have a career in the finishing trades?
interested?
this could be you...
2008 @ wobuilt.com

We are talking to George Brown College about Training Courses for women who want to learn about the building trades.

Further to our initiation of the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Course for Women in the Finishing Trades, Wo-Built has become involved in discussions with George Brown College to put together a similar course package that would focus on training for women who are interested in the skilled trades. These discussions are still in the preliminary stages, so keep checking our forum www.wobuilt.blogspot.com for further updates on the progress of these discussions.

www.wobuilt.com
info@wobuilt.com
(416) 402-2679

Firm works to get more women on construction sites
Wanted: A few good women.

After more than a quarter century on GTA construction sites, Elida Huignard realized what was missing was a women's touch. So, along with fellow architect Martina Ernst, they've launched Wo-Built Inc., a firm dedicated to increasing the number of females in the building trades.
With women now making up just an estimated 2 per cent of workers in the field, they know there's much work to be done. But since they established the company late last year, they've been able to sub-contract some of their home renovation work to females to do painting, tiling, plastering and cabinetry.
By early next year, they hope to have established a training and mentorship scheme that would see women working on job sites get exposure to different trades, hopefully through other women with experience. They're also looking to establish pre-apprenticeship programs with college and trade groups.
"There's a big opportunity in construction trades for women that is not being used right now," said Huignard. Among the barriers, she said, is the belief it's male-only work is too physical for females.
That's why finishing work has such great potential, Ernst said.
"It's the work you see, where a woman's attention to detail and patience are really an asset," she said.
Rolf Priesnitz, chair of apprenticeship programs at George Brown College, said training for groups under-represented in the skilled trades – such as women, aboriginals, and those who are the first generation in their family to attend post-secondary school – will be increasingly important if Ontario is to combat its looming shortage.

WOMEN AND EDUCATION
TheStar.com: Trades program offers lesson on repairing lives
George Brown pilot project turns at-risk women into in-demand skilled tradeswomen
Aug 27, 2007 04:30 AM
Daniel Girard
education reporter
http://www.thestar.com/living/article/250115