Latest news with #womenintrades
CTV News
7 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Women's Skilled Trades Workshop provides opportunity to explore future career path
WEST Inc. of Windsor in partnership with UNIFOR Local 444 is hosting a week-long skilled trades workshop for women at the union HQ on Turner Road in Windsor. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor) An in-depth look at learning a skilled trade is the focus of a week-long workshop in Windsor for women. It's a free event this week for women aged 18 and up allowing participants to get an idea of trades training, apprenticeship opportunities and career paths. This project is a collaboration between Women's Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST Inc.) and UNIFOR Local 444. On Tuesday, students were writing tests on some of the hands-on instructional work. 071525 WEST Inc. of Windsor in partnership with UNIFOR Local 444 is hosting a week-long skilled trades workshop for women at the union HQ on Turner Road in Windsor. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor) Stephanie Allen is the program manager of skilled trades at West Inc. Allen is pleased with the turnout so far and excited to see women interested and engaged in this opportunity. 'So they will be with other women that might want to pursue this and build a community of women in the trades and how they can support each other,' said Allen. 'And they can work together to help break down that barrier of what has been seen for a long time as a male dominated workplace, and how to create a safe space for women to do that.' So far this year, WEST has celebrated a milestone, helping 376 women gain technical skills and empowering them to pursue careers in the skilled trades locally and abroad. WEST Inc. has been educating, mentoring and supporting women in Windsor Essex. Their programs aid women in enhancing skills and securing employment. On average each year WEST Inc. assists over 3,000 women in preparing for the labour market. The organization's programs are funded in part by the government of Canada and the government of Ontario.
Entrepreneur
15-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How This Teacher Turned Business Owner Got Started
Angie Snow went from teacher and stay-at-home mom to co-owner of a thriving business by embracing leadership, championing women in trades and rethinking what it means to support both employees and customers. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Angie Snow was a teacher and mom of three young children when her husband suggested buying an HVAC company together. Assuming she'd be playing a background role, she agreed. "I thought, Oh good, I can get out of the classroom, be at home. This will be a piece of cake! I just have to answer the phone and send out invoices, right? No big deal," she says. But what started as a small step into the trades industry quickly turned into a much bigger leap. Over the past 18 years, Snow and her husband grew Western Heating and Air Conditioning more than they ever could have imagined. Now an industry advisor, Snow also teaches business owners how to succeed with ServiceTitan, a leading home services software company. "I thought teaching was for me, but it's been fun as I've built my business and been able to help other contractors along the way," she says. "I've been able to slide back into that teaching seat, just in a different role." Snow's transition into the trades wasn't always easy. As a woman stepping into a leadership role in a male-dominated industry, she struggled with impostor syndrome and finding her footing. Everything changed when she found community through Women in HVACR, an organization that promotes education, mentorship and support for women in the industry. "I was like, 'I found my people,'" Snow says. Related: He Went From Customer to CEO of a Rapidly-Expanding Dessert Chain By Following This Process That moment sparked a deeper passion. Snow later served on the group's advisory board for six years and got involved with groups like Women in Plumbing and Piping and National Women in Roofing. "It's just so cool to see these organizations exist to support women, where a lot of times we just haven't felt or seen that in the trades," she says. Building a place in the trades where everyone can feel seen and supported became Snow's goal, and part of her leadership philosophy centers on creating a workplace with a strong internal culture. "Number one, you have to work on your leadership and always evolve as a leader — connecting with your people, helping your people feel like they matter and having a vision for them to look at and to follow. The foundational work has to be in place," she says. "They have to know that you care and you're a company and a brand worth working for." One of the biggest hurdles today is attracting younger workers to the trades. Snow says it's not just about better recruiting, but rather about changing outdated perceptions of the industry. "Something we're doing at ServiceTitan to change that stigma is to show how home service companies are really the heroes," she says. "They're the ones showing up. You will have steady work, and these people are the heroes." The Covid-19 pandemic helped prove that point. While other industries slowed down, essential home services stayed strong. "It brought a new light to how important the trades are and why we are so needed," Snow says. Related: He Started a Business and Ended Up on the Brink of Bankruptcy. He Fixed His Mistakes – and Now Teaches Entrepreneurs What He Wishes He Knew When Starting Out. Still, employee retention and morale require more than job security. Snow recognized that many employees, especially Gen Z workers, care deeply about balance and flexibility, which are things that don't always come naturally in a demanding industry like home services. "That generation really values work-life balance. They value having time with their family and time off when they want it," Snow says. "We're a 24/7 industry, but to help them, I show that I care about them and honor that work-life balance. Because that's what I want in my life too." True to her word, she reworked the team's schedule into four-day workweeks, which resulted in more engaged workers who take pride in each job. Technology has also been a huge part of helping Snow deliver a high-level experience. Since switching to ServiceTitan in 2018, Western Heating and Air Conditioning has seen improvements in efficiency. Snow says artificial intelligence is further transforming the game. "It is just crazy how AI can analyze and do so many things so much faster," she says. With AI tools, her team can automate dispatching, consolidate contacts, track sales calls and even help technicians perform better during service visits. It's a win-win: Smarter systems empower her people to focus on serving customers. Looking back, Snow never imagined where this journey would take her. But she hopes others, especially women and young people, realize the trades offer much more than people assume. Related: Her Show Was Canceled – But the Setback Taught Busy Philipps a Powerful Lesson for Creators and Entrepreneurs "There is a path for everyone in the trades, and there is so much opportunity [and] money to be made," she says. "It's a very nice industry that way, and it is a service that people need. I would definitely consider finding your own unique genius in where you shine and finding a path in the trades, because it won't let you down. You'll be surprised." After nearly two decades growing a successful HVAC company and helping shape the future of the trade industry, Snow's advice to current and future business leaders is clear: Lead with people in mind. Whether it's your technicians or customers, building a business rooted in care, connection and trust sets the foundation for long-term success. Whether it's your technicians or customers, building a business rooted in care, connection and trust sets the foundation for long-term success. Create an employee experience worth staying for. From flexible schedules to a culture of belonging, investing in your team elevates every part of your business. From flexible schedules to a culture of belonging, investing in your team elevates every part of your business. Embrace innovation early. Tools like AI and integrated software platforms don't just boost efficiency — they also free your team to focus on what matters most: serving customers. Tools like AI and integrated software platforms don't just boost efficiency — they also free your team to focus on what matters most: serving customers. Redefine what leadership looks like. There's space in the trades for every kind of strength and every kind of leader. There's space in the trades for every kind of strength and every kind of leader. If there's an open door, walk through it. The trades are full of hidden opportunities. Whether you start in the field, the office or by someone else's side, you might be surprised where you end up. Watch the episode above to hear directly from Angie Snow, and subscribe to Behind the Review for more from new business owners and reviewers every Tuesday. Join top CEOs, founders and operators at the Level Up conference to unlock strategies for scaling your business, boosting revenue and building sustainable success.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tradie apprentice on $100,000 reveals reality of high-paying training: 'High risk'
An apprentice tradie has shared how she is earning $100,000 a year in her second year on the job. Apprentices often have to slog it out with lower wages while they are still learning, but there are some ways to get around this. The woman was stopped in the street in the Brisbane CBD and revealed she was an apprentice electrician for Queensland Rail. She revealed there were a few factors that contributed to her lucrative wage. 'We do a rotational roster, so two weeks of day shift, a week of night shift. The night shift is where you make a lot of your money and then overtime as well if you want,' she told the job app Getahead. RELATED Tradie reveals trick to buying home and saving $120,000 Couple's side hustle amid double redundancy secures $13 million fortune Centrelink age pension changes coming into effect from July 1 The woman said she was doing high-voltage work, which also paid higher wages. 'So I'm in substations, which you also earn a bit more because it's high-risk work I guess you could say,' she said. The woman said she enjoyed working for the government as it meant she got 'a lot of freedom' compared to a private company. '[It's] not super busy, you don't get run into the ground like a lot of other domestic sparkies out there,' she woman shared she was the only female working in her job at the moment, after one other female was injured and another did not get a job after her apprenticeship. She said it could be 'tricky to juggle' her TAFE course at the same time as working, but just meant she had to 'put in extra study'. While a job isn't guaranteed at the end of your apprenticeship, she said you could still likely get a job at the end of it. 'Your apprenticeship's like a four-year interview and show them that you're keen and you'll likely get a job and they'll make a position for you,' she said. At $100,000 a year, the woman's apprentice wage is much higher than the average. Many people were surprised by her high salary, with other apprentices sharing their wages by way of comparison. 'I'm second year and get 39k,' one wrote. 'I'm 3rd year and get 48k,' another said. Others pointed out that her higher salary was due to her doing night shift and roster work. According to the Electrical Trades Union, junior second-year sparkies typically earn $18.84 an hour if they have completed year 12. That works out to $715.77 a week or $32,220 a year. Overtime rates are higher at $28.26 an hour for the first two hours then $37.68 after that, while Sunday rates are $37.68 an hour and public holiday rates are $47.10 an hour. The union noted these were the legal bare minimum wages. Rates for workers under Union Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs) can be significantly higher than those under the Award. The government has promised to introduce a $10,000 bonus for apprentices to encourage them to stay in their training. It would be available to trades including bricklayers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and joiners who sign up after July 1. The government is also hoping to get more women into trades, with $45 million pledged to increase advocacy, networking, recruitment and in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
Globe and Mail
10-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
These women are leading in male-dominated industries – and they're hiring all-women teams
Annastacia Plaskos grew up surrounded by the trades. Her father ran a flooring business, and when her parents split up, her mother continued to run the company. As a teenager, she encouraged her mom to add painting to the list of services and helped to grow the business. After high school, Ms. Plaskos attended university and took business courses. But her heart wasn't in it. 'It wasn't something I wanted to do, and so I [thought], what can I get into that allows me to have some financial freedom while still challenging me mentally and physically? I decided to get into the trades.' Ms. Plaskos shadowed a contractor for several years before she felt she had the skills to set out on her own. Then, she launched Fix It Females, a home renovation business that does everything from house painting to drywalling to building. The business rapidly grew from three to nearly 40 employees within a few years – all of them women. Hiring only female workers was intentional for Ms. Plaskos, who grew tired of having to prove herself to the male tradespeople she was working with, along with experiencing sexism and pay disparities in the industry. 'For me, showing other women you can do this, that it is possible [is important],' she says. 'You can make the same amount of money that a male can in this industry. It is doable.' Ms. Plaskos is one of a growing number of women entrepreneurs in male-dominated sectors who are helping to fuel small business growth in Canada. According to a recent study by GoDaddy, 43 per cent of businesses with 0–9 employees are run by women, while 48 per cent of the country's female-led businesses were started in the last five years. Many women leaders also make a concerted effort to hire an all-female, or mostly female, staff. Heather Cannings, program lead for women's entrepreneurship strategy for Nventure, a non-profit aimed at financing and supporting entrepreneurship in Canada, has seen a small increase in women launching and leading businesses in traditionally male-dominated industries. A 2023 survey found that self-employed women in manufacturing, scientific and technical sectors rose between 2021 and 2022. Ms. Cannings says that women can contribute unique qualities to these kinds of industries. 'I think women are bringing not only technical expertise but they're also bringing collaborative leadership, which is super important.' Women also tend to be very adaptable, she adds, 'which is incredibly valuable in these non-traditional spaces, where innovation and problem-solving are key.' Case in point: Aja Horsely, founder of Calgary-based honey company Drizzle Honey. The environmental studies graduate created the company while researching rooftop beekeeping, finding herself fascinated with the process of producing honey. 'I was driven by ethics and wanting to help the beekeepers make this amazing, beautiful product,' she says. Ms. Horsley started the business on her own, doing all the heavy lifting (hives can weigh up to 36 kilograms) – until she became allergic to bees. She had to quickly rethink her approach and switched gears, hiring local beekeepers to source the honey while taking charge of branding and packaging herself. She also applied and was selected to participate in a business accelerator where she learned strategies to build her brand. Dragon's Den's Arlene Dickenson was an early investor. Ms. Horsley says from the beginning, Drizzle's staff has been proudly all-female, and that has been an advantage. '[Women workers] are very creative and flexible, and I find they can be very driven. When they get an opportunity in a non-traditional work environment, they are willing to work very hard to get where they need to get.' Monisha Sharma, chief revenue officer at Fig Financial, a Canadian digital personal loan provider, was motivated to join Fig because as a champion of financial knowledge for women, she found a lack of growth opportunities for women in finance. She was almost always the sole woman at the table, she says, and there were few accessible tools to help women achieve financial independence. Ms. Sharma leads an all-female team and is part of a leadership crew that is 50 per cent women and persons of colour. She says that for women in non-traditional spaces such as finance or tech, working at smaller companies can sometimes be beneficial because decisions are based on data rather than who is at the leadership table. 'There is a focus on data driven-decision making which does provide a lot of space for women, people who are racialized, anyone who looks and sounds different – they all get room to grow.' At bigger, more established companies, this kind of equity continues to be a challenge, she says. 'There's a large glass ceiling.' One of Fig's initiatives is Women in Fig, an internal mentorship program that provides opportunities for women to receive support and to grow in their careers. Programs like these are key to women's success in non-traditional fields, says Nventure's Ms. Cannings. But she cautions that women don't just need a support group. They also need active champions – male and female – who can open doors for them and 'who are going to provide access, hands-on training, technical roles.' Even more importantly, they need investors and backers who will be with them for the long haul. Ms. Horsley agrees, saying that when she started Drizzle, buyers wouldn't answer her emails or would give her absurdly high quotes. It was difficult to be competitive, she says, because she doesn't feel she was given the same pricing that a male counterpart would to get the business off the ground. Over the last decade, however, Ms. Horsley has found that things are changing for the better. 'Investors know that women are underfunded,' she says. 'The buyers at large corporations know they need to include product purchasing from female-owned companies.' As more entrepreneurs like Ms. Plaskos, Ms. Horsley and Ms. Sharma intentionally create companies that are safe spaces for women and people of diverse backgrounds, the positive impacts will have a ripple effect, Ms. Cannings says. Companies like theirs can provide forums for workers to support one another and to be inspired by female leadership. 'It gives us a sense of shared experience,' she says. 'We can show up as ourselves.' Interested in more perspectives about women in the workplace? Find all stories on The Globe Women's Collective hub here, and subscribe to the new Women and Work newsletter here. Have feedback? Email us at GWC@
The Independent
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
B&Q apologises after cabinet described as ‘easy to assemble, even if you're a girl'
B&Q was forced to apologise after it advertised a storage unit as easy to assemble 'even if you are a girl', according to reports. The DIY shop listed a flatpack bamboo bathroom shelf on its website with the information: "Easy to assemble the cabinet even if you're a girl,' The Sun reported. It said the 'inappropriate' remark had come from a third-party seller and apologised for any offence caused, the same newspaper reported. 'Tall storage cabinet is perfect for saving space, slim design to fit in almost any corner,' the production information read. 'Three shelves provide plenty of storage to keep essentials organised and neat, and the cabinet door provides added privacy. Easy to assemble the cabinet even if you're a girl.' It comes after the DIY shop launched a 'Do The Lift Thing' campaign to 'showcase tradeswomen breaking down barriers'. The project wanted to 'highlight the new movement of women in trades, while spotlighting the barriers preventing more girls and women entering the field'. Supply and Logistics Director Amelie Gallichan-Todd said at the time of the launch: 'With only two per cent of trade professionals being women, B&Q is committed to tackling this and has pledged £1m to fund trade apprentices across a variety of sectors, including carpentry, plumbing, painting and decorating. 'By showcasing successful women in these roles, we hope to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in trades, challenging stereotypes and changing perceptions.' In the introduction to a 'gender pay gap report' last year, B&Q said: 'We're proud of the progress we're making. This is supported by 44 per cent of our management roles being occupied by women.'
