The push for women to get more involved in skilled trades continues and a local organization is offering a financial incentive.
The Barrie Women in Construction group is offering its annual bursary to female students entering into post-secondary or continuing education and apprenticeships in the 2022-23 year with a focus on skilled trades.
Julie Harris, who is a co-chair for the group, says there were 11 applicants with three women receiving $1,000 each last year.
Harris believes they are on track to be able to do the same this year.
“We received a lot of great feedback from those that did hear about it and we got great feedback from the recipients," she told BarrieToday. "While the dollar amount may not seem like a lot to some, it really helped with the cost of books and materials and took a bit of weight off their shoulders.
“More importantly, it really made the women feel like they are a welcomed asset in the trades and, simply put, that someone cares about their success," Harris added.
The construction industry’s labour shortage over the last few years, exacerbated by COVID-19, has led to the need to get people — not just women — into skilled trades, she said.
“I just don’t think there’s enough education surrounding what it means to be in the trades, and what a rewarding career it can be,” said Harris. “I think our initiative for women in particular helps to give women that are considering entering the trades a little bit of a push, and some confidence knowing there is a whole group of women out there who are here to support them.”
Anyone interested in applying can send an email to [email protected] and should include a short essay about themselves, what career path they have chosen and why, and why they believe women in the trades is important.
Submission deadline is April 22 and selected recipients will be notified in May.
The initiative is open only to residents of Simcoe County.
