Doing It Right: Project Report

This report evaluated the "Young Women in Trades and Technologies" (YWTT) initiative, a career development program funded by the Future Skills Centre and delivered by CAREERS: The Next Generation. The project investigated structured interventions designed to increase gender equity in non-traditional technical sectors by introducing female high school students to high-demand trades and technology pathways. By integrating early career exploration, hands-on worksite visits, mentorship, and paid internships, the program successfully addresses systemic barriers and lowers the entry costs often associated with onboarding young workers. Ultimately, the findings demonstrate that these targeted, comprehensive supports effectively build individual job readiness, enhance student career confidence, and offer employers direct access to a safety-aware, diverse talent pipeline while mitigating traditional workforce retention challenges.

Credit: Monica Batac, University of Manitoba; Elizabeth Peredun, Julaine Debogorski, Jodie McGregor Yukon Women in Trades and Technology; Ruth Wilson University of Toronto

Date: February 2024