Released on May 6, 2011
More than 70 Saskatchewan industry, training and government stakeholders will gather in Saskatoon today to seek strategies to increase women's participation in skilled trades and technologies, and support employers in recruiting, hiring, training and retaining women in the skilled trades and technologies. "Bridge the Gap with Women in Skilled Trades and Technologies: Saskatchewan's Summit" is the first of its kind in the province.
"In the Saskatchewan economy, there continues to be a large demand for workers in the skilled trades and technologies," Women in Skilled Trades and Technologies Working Group Chair Marral Thomson said. "Despite the demand, women continue to experience difficulty finding employers and sustained employment in the skilled trades and technologies. We hope the Summit can begin to address this imbalance and create made in Saskatchewan strategies."
The Summit is an opportunity for decision-makers to discuss gaps, outline best practices and develop employer strategies that will increase the participation of women in skilled trades and technologies.
"We applaud the work that Saskatchewan employers are doing to meet our growing talent challenge and foster more inclusive workplaces," Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission Rob Norris said. "The trades and technical professions provide tremendous opportunities for Saskatchewan women to utilize their talents and build fulfilling careers."
"Increasing women's representation in these occupations and industry groups deepens the talent pool available to employers, and strengthens the provincial labour force," Minister responsible for the Status of Women June Draude said. "Just as importantly, it matches women's demonstrated achievements in learning and skills development with industry's demand for a highly skilled and motivated workforce."
During 2005/06 in Saskatchewan, 1.7 per cent of all the journeyperson certificates issued in predominantly male trades were earned by female apprentices. By 2009/10, this number increased to 2.4 per cent. Along with an overall increase of 41 per cent in the number of journeyperson certificates issued to completing apprentices in these same skilled trades, this represents a modest, but important, increase in the number of female apprentices in Saskatchewan.
Summit sponsors include:
- Canadian Homebuilders' Association - Saskatchewan
- Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission
- Saskatchewan Construction Association
- Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association
- Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, Joint Training Committee
- Saskatchewan Mining Association
- Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
- Saskatchewan Status of Women Office, Ministry of Social Services
The Summit will be led by well-respected facilitator, Susan Hollett, from Hollett and Sons Inc. Special guests include Rosemary Sparks from the Construction Sector Council, Valerie Overend from Saskatchewan Women in Trades and Technologies, and a five member panel consisting of employers and female skilled tradespersons discussing their experiences. Ministers Norris and Draude will represent the Government of Saskatchewan at the Summit.
The Summit summary report will be posted on the SATCC website at www.saskapprenticeship.ca as soon as it is available.
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For more information, contact:
Lillie Wong
Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission
Regina
Email: lillie.wong@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-0965