I got into the trades while I was working as a bartender. I had been putting away an order one day, and a customer who was in concrete noticed how strong I was while I was putting multiple cases of beer away at a time. He mentioned something about my work ethic, and said I should get into concrete. He thought I could do it, and told me I would make really good money. I was looking to do something different with my life, so I began to think seriously about making the change. At the time I was also working at an Italian social club, and had been chatting with a customer there about wanting to get into concrete. Little did I know he was a Foreman at a big concrete company. When he offered me a job, and told me what I was going to be making as a Labourer, I was so excited. This man has now been my Foreman for a good portion of 15 years.

Build Together has definitely made an impact on my career. Through the committee I have gained a confidence in myself that I did not have before. My new confidence came from having the support of so many strong women who have been in similar situations to mine. I have watched these women grow to be strong leaders, and they have encouraged me to do the same. I have learnt about conflict resolution, and how to ask for what I want. Programs like Build Together are so important because we work together to raise each other up, and help each other realize our potential. As a committee, we also share our knowledge and experiences within our communities and with people who may not know they would ever be able to succeed in a career in the trades. We share information with people who may have had bias towards the trades and the women working in those trades.

I just recently acquired my NCSO certification (National Construction Safety Officer), and Build Together has helped me gain the courage and confidence I needed to take that step!

The advice I would give to any woman who is interested in starting a career in the trades, or pursuing a leadership role in the construction industry would be to just go for it! Taking the steps towards something new can be scary, but the feeling of accomplishment when you build something, or complete a job with your hands is so fulfilling.

To me, the future success of Build Together looks like us tackling, and raising awareness regarding important issues that face not only women but also many people following a career in the trades such as affordable childcare with extended hours. As a committee I believe we should continue to spread information about the benefits of having a career in the trades. I would like for us to start a mentorship program for people who have just entered the trades so they can obtain the support they need. Community outreach, and giving back through fundraising events is an area I would like to see become a larger focus for our group.

Money, Ability to learn new skills, Growth and Potential, Hands on, Variety of options.

I’ve always been interested in the trades. While in High school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life but College or University was not the priority. If I’m not 100% confident with my program choice then I don’t want to go into debt for it. An alternative program at my high school was the Registered Apprenticeship Program (R.A.P). I went through the program and figured out a few trades I thought I’d like. Went to an interview and was called back to work for them. But I chickened out and never returned the call. The program was great for getting you ready for the job; they prepare you with all the proper paperwork and tickets needed to be on construction sites, set up the interviews and helped me brush up on some skills. But I feel like it lacked a follow up or mentor to assist with the follow through. However that is on me, like the saying goes, you can bring a horse to water but you can’t force it to drink.

After job hopping between bartending, serving, customer service, and auto body prep for a few years, I was given the opportunity to work as a fireproofer for Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Association (O.P.C.M.I.A) Local 222. I was interested in the pay it was providing, the new skills I was going to be trained in, and importantly the feeling that I was working towards something. I liked the hands on learning and mentorship you get while in the trades. The options once you get your foot in the door are endless and I like the variety of different projects you work through.

Educating me on how we can do better in all aspects of the trades (mentorship, childcare, inclusiveness, community & giving back, leadership skills)

Build Together has had a huge impact on me personally, which in effect has impacted my career. Build Together Alberta has invited me into conferences, meetings, questions and answers with apprentices and ministers of the government, events of inclusiveness and community in the trades. Through these encounters I’ve learned about some of the problems and been a part of some of the solutions that people in the trades life are facing, problems ranging from apprentices needing an easier and more accessible way to upgrade their blue books and the lack of available child care for families to higher suicide rates in the trades and isssues around mentorship or retention in the trades. Racism. Problems that I see and want to be a part of the solution. Build Together prepares and assists you to help with the solution. Programs like Build Together prepare women to step up into the roles they did not know they were capable of. Similar to being on site and working on a project, Build Together puts you into the problem and assists you with figuring out the solution. We meet other strong leaders in the industry and we all mentor each other with our experience and expertise. Build Together has made me feel like a leader within myself and has assisted me to become stronger at standing up for the things I believe in – as well as to educate others when needed.

Try it out. It’s going to be nerve wrenching and intimidating at some points but take it day by day. Be willing to learn and adapt. Show up everyday with a good attitude, work ethic and strong head on your shoulders and you’ll be fine. Stick to your gut. Don’t let yourself be pushed around and if you don’t like something being done, then say it.

I believe Build Together is successful. They’ve been successfully bringing women into the trades who are actively trying to make a difference in the trades environment. Women are becoming a highlight in the trades industry demonstrating the things we can do and accomplish.

In a very male-dominated union/trade, I am the first woman voted into a union representative role (executive board), by my fellow brothers and sisters.

Every time a woman accomplishes her goals, is promoted or advances her career/education, I think that is success for all women in the trades and Build Together. We need to encourage and support each other.

Being a member of Build Together has definitely had a positive impact on my career. I am a part of a support system of women who help each other learn and grow.

I take advantage of additional training when it is offered. Ive completed the CWB welding supervisor course, the American OSHA 30, numerous saftey qualification tickets as well as being a yearly attendee of the Trades Women Build Nations Conference.

When I show up to work, most of the time it doesn’t even feel like “work”, because its truly something I enjoy doing. If you are new to the industry or maybe wanting to peruse a career in the trades, the best advice I can give you is to choose a career that you are passionate about. We all need to work and earn a living and its going to make your life a whole lot better if you enjoy what you are doing.

Empowerment, encouragement and motivation for people in not one just one industry, but across the building trades. The more we can learn to support each other the stronger we become as a whole.

Every time a woman accomplishes her goals, is promoted or advances her career/education, I think that is success for all women in the trades and Build Together. We need to encourage and support each other.

I had been working in the food and beverage industry for 7-8 years and was looking for a change – a career. Mechanics was an interest of mine, carpentry was too. When I talked to my parents about it, my Mom suggested that I try my hand at welding with my Dad. The following weekend, my Dad and I got to work on the back of his welding rig, and I was hooked. As a fourth generation welder, I’d say it was in my blood. I started my apprenticeship and before I knew it, I was a Journeyman. I pushed on further to get my B-pressure certification soon after.

During my career, I have worked in commercial, industrial, and production facilities. I’ve built many things from garbage containers and trucks, to large pressure vessels. I’ve worked in fabrication shops, water treatment facilities, gas plants, fertilizer plants, from new construction to repairs, replacement, and maintenance. I started my own ornamental ironwork business, which led me to becoming an instructor at the local college to teach it. That experience was helpful when I was offered a position as an instructor at my union hall. From there, I was invited to fill in as a National Manager with my union’s head office, while a colleague went on maternity leave. This goes to show that you never know what doors will open when you join the trades.

If I had any advice to give women looking for a career, I would say: “Find a trade you love, give it all you’ve got, join your local union, and get on the Build Together committee! You have no idea how proud of yourself you will be!! DO IT!!”

I have always been interested in the trades; my dad was an auto mechanic and worked as a labourer for a couple of years alongside other millwrights and wanted to join the union.

I was incredibly interested in this role when I realized the opportunity that it can bring to minorities in the trade. Any little step towards making a positive impact in the industry is a step in the right direction.

Programs like Build Together create a support team, and give women the opportunity to have their voices heard from a different level within the industry. Build Together has the ability to influence and notify our leadership of some of the common and reoccurring issues that many women face on the jobsite. Without the insight of Build Together, and other women in the industry, a lot of these issues go completely un-noticed, which ultimately leads to the fact that we have such a difficult time retaining women in the workforce. Through Build Together, we are opening new doors and helping to find solutions that can retain the women in our industry who are skilled, have worked hard throughout their career and deserve a place in the industry.

Always be prepared.