Funded Research

Pre-trades training for Northern women

An Inventory of Existing Pre-Trades Training Programs for Women in the Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut Territory

October 2008

By K. Tompkins and Associates Ltd.

Within the next ten years, a very large number of new trades people will be required to fill jobs in the mining, oil and gas, and construction sectors and their spin-off activities in the Yukon, the NWT, and Nunavut. Unless northern women are prepared to enter trades occupations in large numbers, those positions will probably be filled by workers from out-of-territory, and possibly from out-of-the-country.

Executive Summary (PDF 110 KB)

Full Report (PDF 2 MB)

Learners face many challenges in the north that learners elsewhere do not encounter. Women face special challenges that northern men do not face, or at least not to as great an extent, such as cultural prerogatives that value employment and education for women differently than for men and an almost complete lack of day care facilities. In addition, there are special challenges for women who want to explore trades as an option.

Pre-trades training initiatives for women in southern Canada are able to attract students with high literacy levels, who have already worked through any personal issues that might get in the way, such as addictions or weak self esteem, and are committed to a career in the trades. Their models require significant modification to lead to successful learning and career development for northern women.

Within the next ten years, a very large number of new trades people will be required to fill jobs in the mining, oil and gas, and construction sectors and their spin-off activities in the Yukon, the

Au cours des dix prochaines années, un très grand nombre de nouveaux gens de métier sera nécessaire pour combler les emplois dans les secteurs minier, pétrolier, gazier et de la construction ainsi que leurs activités secondaires au