The Industry Training Authority (ITA) has introduced a first of its kind resource in B.C. for trades employers. Leveling The Field – A Best Practices Guide to Employing Women in the Trades has been developed to help employers with their overall hiring practices by creating a positive work environment for new apprentices, and also serve as a tool for employers who are increasingly adding tradeswomen to their teams.

By 2022, B.C. is expecting over one million job openings, 43 per cent of which will be in trades and technical occupations. Employers who want to hire British Columbians first are looking to expand their pool of candidates, and more and more women are considering the trades as a valid and dynamic career choice.

Currently 10 per cent of B.C.’s trades apprentices are women, but for apprentices under the age of 19, the number rises to 26 per cent.

“To ensure British Columbians are first in line for the jobs that will come in our growing economy, we need more women to choose non-traditional careers,” says Premier Christy Clark. “Resources like ITA’s Women in Trades Best Practices Guide help to provide the encouragement and support for women to seize opportunities in the skilled trades, while helping employers develop the best strategies to recruit, hire, and retain women on the job site.“

The Best Practices Guide is produced through the ITA Women in Trades Training Initiative and is a direct result of in-depth, province-wide consultation with over 800 employers and apprentices, and with special input from 15 employers/industry associations.

To help employers assess their workplace policies and practices, the Guide focuses on a number of areas, including recruitment and hiring, orientation, developing and maintaining a safe and welcoming workplace, and retention. The Electrical Joint Training Committee helped participate in its development.

The Guide is is being rolled out through local employer and labour champions, ITA Apprenticeship Advisors, customer service supports, and targeted communications such as newsletters, employer outreach and social media. Funding for the Guide was provided through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement.

To obtain a copy of the Guide, contact ITA Customer Service at 1-866-660-6011 or customerservice@itabc.ca. The Guide can be viewed online and downloaded at: http://www.itabc.ca/managing-apprentices/best-practices-guides.