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
CCWESTT acknowledges that our greater science, engineering, trades and technology (or SETT) community is situated on the ceded and unceded traditional territories of First Nation, Inuit, and Métis peoples from coast to coast to coast in what is known as ‘Canada’. CCWESTT fervently believes SETT is enriched through collective relations and knowledge sharing and is committed to helping enhance and build these relations. Full land acknowledgement here.