Image Credit: Submitted/Okanagan College
March 21, 2024 - 7:37 AM
After 16 years, the Women in Trades program at Okanagan College has ended due to a lack of provincial funding.
“SkilledTradesBC has informed Okanagan College that our application for funding for Women in Trades Training and Equity in Trades Training programming was not selected for 2024/25, noting that, while Okanagan College met all requirements, the College was not selected in this round but will be considered should there be any future funding opportunities,” Stephen Speers, the college’s dean of trades and apprenticeship, said in an email to iNFOnews.ca.
The 12-week program introduced women to trades such as carpentry, joinery, plumbing and electrical with both classroom and shop training.
“Over the past 16 years, the Women in Trades team has provided support and education to nearly 1,500 women, giving them the opportunity to explore many of the amazing career opportunities available in the skilled trades and to begin their technical training,” Speers wrote.
“They have contributed significantly to the work that is being done to bring equity to the skilled trades and to trades training at Okanagan College.”
Last year, a BC Construction Association survey found that the proportion of women working in skilled trades in the province had dropped to 4.5% from 6% in 2020.
"One of the most disappointing trends this year is the 21% decrease in tradeswomen, a sharp reversal after several years of solid gains,” a report on the survey said.
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There is still one group of women training at the Penticton campus and that will continue until it is completed.
The college it looking at potential alternative sources of funding, the email said.
“Okanagan College has a shared commitment to supporting women, Indigenous peoples, youth and underrepresented groups and will continue to offer programming that supports people of all backgrounds to be introduced to, and successfully achieve, a career in Trades,” Speers wrote.
“It’s important to note that Okanagan College has many other opportunities for women and other equity-deserving groups to be introduced to a career in trades, including priority seating for women and equity-deserving students as well as bursaries and awards through the Okanagan College Foundation.”
On May 15, the college will host its first Jill of All Trades event for female students in Grades 9 to 12 for a day of hands-on experience in the trades.
More information about the Jill of All Trades event is available here.
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