Okanagan College with new women’s training boost

Mar 8, 2025 | 9:00 AM

There will be more local opportunities for women to enter the trades and get their Red Seal certification.

Okanagan College has a new mentorship and education program with $873,000 coming from the federal government.

It will support the retention and progression of female apprentices in construction and manufacturing trades because currently, too many women leave their respective industries part way through their apprenticeship.

The BC Labour Market Outlook points to the need for one million skilled workers in B.C. in the next decade.

In a media release, Okanagan College said the ACTION project – Apprenticeship Completion and Networking – aims to tackle what the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum states is a 20 per cent gap in Red Seal completion between males and females.

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The project focuses on mentorship for female apprentices from industry mentors such as Krista Paine, the president of the Canadian Home Builders Association. Paine was on hand at Okanagan College’s Penticton campus to officially launch the program during a forum on Women in Architecture, Construction and Engineering, in partnership with WeBC and in celebration of International Women’s Day.

“As a Red Seal Carpenter, I know firsthand that working in the trades is an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career,” said Paine. “The sense of accomplishment, the creativity and the supportive community of fellow tradeswomen make it an amazing path to pursue. This program will help more women see themselves in the trades, providing the confidence and support they need to thrive.”

by Vernon Matters Staff

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