September 16, 2014 – “It is time to stop talking about the challenges in our industry in a fractured way. We need action. Stakeholders must work together to make meaningful changes happen now,” said Tammy Evans, director of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction, as CAWIC launched its Women’s Advancement Project in Calgary.

With a financial grant from the Government of Canada for $249,900 through Status of Women Canada, CAWIC says it is undertaking a three-year project to conduct research and develop—with industry employers and female participants—a “targeted and detailed action plan to increase women’s entry, retention and advancement into leadership roles within the construction industry”.

“CAWIC’s goal of providing workplace and career-specific tools to guide and support women in construction will help to attract more women into the industry, and thus strengthen Canada’s labour supply,” noted Paul de Jong, executive director of the Progressive Contractor’s Association of Canada (PCA).

The association says it is seeking employer partners to break down barriers for women in the industry, and to develop an action plan that makes economic sense for both the employer and the employee. Industry employers with operations in Alberta, Ontario or Newfoundland & Labrador have the opportunity to get directly involved in the project.

“We have representatives acting as employer partners in Alberta and Ontario, and we encourage other construction firms and employees to get involved,” said Mark Alton, workforce manager, Southern Alberta, PCL Builders Inc.