Labour shortage answer: Hire more women
A Simon Fraser University study prepared for an upcoming conference shows that the number of women in the trades in B.C. and the Yukon has barely risen - from two per cent in the 1990s to about three per cent in 2007.
Kate Braid, who holds the Ruth Wynn Woodward Chair in Women's Studies at SFU, notes that the response of government and business to the current skilled trades shortage has largely been to recruit overseas. "We're arguing that it's time to look at our own local labour force - and the 52 per cent of the population who are women."
Braid, who is also a journey carpenter, says women have a history of involvement in the skilled trades. "Women have always worked, and worked hard, and have been active in the skilled trades in this province since the Second World War, when there were 1,400 women at the Burrard Shipyard alone."
A conference to develop success strategies for women in trades called Tradeswomen: A Winning Ticket, will be held April 20-21. The Friday evening public event begins at 6 p.m. at the SFU Segal Graduate School of Business (500 Granville St.) in Vancouver and the Saturday workshops (for conference participants only) at SFU's Harbour Centre campus.
The event is co-sponsored by SFU and BCIT, in partnership with the B.C. Construction Association (BCCA).
Note to editors:
Colin Hansen, BC minister of economic development, and Ida Chong, minister responsible for women's issues, are expected to attend a reception for conference participants and invited guests on Friday, April 20 at 5 p.m. Media are welcome to attend.
For more information, see www.sfu.ca/tradeswomen