Women and Trades in the Green Economy

Collage: Women and Trades in the Green Economy: Striving to Be Green All Year Round!
Credits: MS Office ClipArt - j0434449 + j0437324

2009 @ bizjunction.blogspot.com

I am sure there has been much discussion on the topic "How Women can fill the gap in the field of trades". Most definitely, industry forecasters acknowledge the current and ever growing the trade shortage. And, yes, it has been mentioned many times that more than half of Ontario’s skilled trades people will retire in the next 5 years and 4 out of every 10 businesses that depend on skilled trades are expected to face a labour shortage.

So, I ask the question: "Are you a woman looking at future jobs in trades?" Then, I would recommend you to research such occupations that embrace "the green economy". There is now a strong movement toward creating environmentally sustainable energy sources. With our current global financial crisis, it is even more crucial to be green! The colour "green" will pave the way for plentiful future jobs in trades.

For example, in the field of trades, the green movement will open up a lot of jobs for electricians, iron and steel workers, construction workers, and sheet metal workers. Construction workers in our greening economy will be able to get jobs retrofitting homes to make them more efficient. The biggest support for renovation and revitalization of construction jobs is the federal government offering a rebate for renovation, particularly with the emphasis on eco-retrofitters i.e. bumping up insulation, new tankless water heaters, etc… These two initiatives will offer more federal and provincial incentives for people to "go green".

Yes, indeed, money spent on retrofitting homes, and buildings will be a major economic driver for job development in the green economy. Some of the future plans for this green movement will include renewable energy tariffs, renewable energy goals for utilities /targets and the restrictions, and eventually the dissemination of new carbon emitting projects. All of these key objectives will push the government to develop more wind, solar and geothermal technology.

"Solar", "wind" and "sustainable energy solutions" are the hot words for the 21st century. As such, jobs in trades and professions will increase for water treatment; installation of solar energy systems i.e. installation of solar water heaters, reforestation, and cleaning up contaminated sites. Yes, indeed, the future of women in trades and in the green economy looks favorable.

For more research re: jobs in trades go to:

• Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program
• Possibilities: Skilled Trades Overview
• Apprenticesearch.com: Recruitment, Resources, Results
• CareerMATTERS: All Apprenticeships
• Ontario Job Futures: the current trends and future outlook for 163 occupations common to Ontario
• Second Career: A New Career, for Life
• ontariojobfutures.ca: Ontario Job Futures
• Jobboom Canada: Online job search

Copyright © D. A. Wright, June 2009. All rights reserved

Di Wright, B.A., Dipl. in Ad. Ed, Certified ESL Business Teacher, and Career Coach, Member of Career Professionals of Canada
Voice Mail: 416-208-3982
Website: diwright.info
LinkedIn: diwright
Blog: Communications and Career Coaching
Author: "Serendipity: A Journalling Workbook"

link:
Pursuit Of Employment: Is there an Art to Mastering Change?
by Di Wright

Toronto: Skilled Trades Forum & Diversity Job Fair for Women and Youth

ScreenShot: Diversity Job Fair & Skilled Trades Forum for Women and Youth
Credit: Wobuilt Inc.

What a wonderful opportunity we have tonight:

Diversity Job Fair & Skilled Trades Forum for Women and Youth

Wednesday, January 16, 2008, from 5-9:30pm

Location: Toronto City Hall, in the Rotunda

100 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5H 2N2


Presented by Zack Steel in partnership with the City of Toronto’s Access and Diversity Unit / Parks, Forestry and Recreation

Sponsors:

• City of Toronto - Parks, Forestry & Recreation
• Wobuilt Inc.: The Vision Builder
• CAWIC: Canadian Association of Women in Construction
• CYBF: Canadian Youth Business Foundation
• Diversity Careers.ca: Apply Now and Get Your Dream Job!
• The Career Foundation: Developing Human Potential
• Pre-Apprenticeship Training Institute
• On-Track Career & Employment Services for Women
• Adecco Job Search Engine
• Toronto Job.ca
• Centennial College

There will be many industry representatives presenting on a variety of topics:

Apprenticeships, Workers’ rights & Women’s rights & Self-employment
You will find JOB OPPORTUNITIES, onsite interviews and refreshments.

Program:

5-6 pm:
Welcome and opening remarks by Zack Steel & the City of Toronto

6-6:30 pm
RUI CUNHA, Director of Operations for the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Institute, will discuss the following topics:
Demand for trades in: Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Alarm Systems, Network Cabling, Estimating on both skills side and sales side, Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program, Youth Apprenticeship Council, Trade expectations and more

6:30-7 pm
Intermission and Refreshments served in Committee Rooms 3 & 4
Also, use this time to meet and greet employers and network.

7-7:30 pm
MARIE HERON, Executive Director of On-Track for Women, will discuss:
"Trading-Up". The jobs are there, the money's there, where are you? Learn about this free program which is designed specifically for women who want to know more about working in skilled trades.

7:30-8 pm
MARTINA ERNST, CEO of Wo-Built Inc, will discuss:
How her organization assists women to enter and succeed in the skilled trades;
How the skilled trades can make a difference in your life;
Looking at opportunities for women in the industry.

8-8:30 pm
SARAH HASHEM, Business Manager - GTA, for the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, will discuss:
How the CYBF program can help young women entrepreneurs start a successful business in Skilled Trades.
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national charity that provides youth, age 18-34, who have a great business idea but are unable to access funds through other traditional sources, with the start-up financing, mentoring and business resources to create their own successful business.


In Committee Room 3

5-9 pm
ANGELA WILSON, President of CAWIC, will speak:
About mentorship and membership in the Canadian Association of Women In Construction (CAWIC).

In Committee Room 4

5-9 pm
COLIN MORRISON, Executive Director of the Career Foundation, will deliver a presentation on:
The Career Foundations’ Complete the Circle - Apprenticeship Model for Women.
We are currently operating in our 20th year with 11 programs including Job Finding Clubs, Employment Assessment Centres, a Resource Centre and 4 Completing the Circle Programs, to name a few. We have 8 different physical locations that are spread across the GTA including Toronto, Scarborough, Etobicoke, North York and Richmond Hill and we employ over 80 staff members and serves over 50,000 unemployed people each year, the majority of whom are multi-barriered individuals.


8:30-9 pm
SUE ALLEN, Coordinator - Women In Skilled Trades at Centennial College, will present on:
"Bringing Women Back to the Skilled Trades - The Long Road Home"
Sue will explore some of the history of women in the skilled trades and provide concrete analysis to why so few women choose this road.
Sue will also discuss what she and Centennial College are doing to help women find their way home.

9-9:30 pm
LISA LUDMER, Director of Permanent and Professional Placement for Adecco Canada, will discuss:
How Adecco embraces skilled workers in Canada and the different challenges her company faces nationally, due to tight candidate market for qualified employees in the Skilled Trades.
Adecco is able to assist skilled workers with job opportunities across the country, both on temporary assignments and permanent jobs.
Adecco is involved in national partnerships that promote diversity in the workplace through various outreach initiatives with Community Partners.
We have active campaigns that attract job seekers from a diversified candidate pool.
Our company seeks alliances with training schools, colleges and other educational programs geared towards preparing skilled workers for employment.