New Brunswick, like the rest of Canada, is facing a challenging workforce reality. Our skilled trades industry will have to adapt to challenges such as a labour shortage and loss of expertise due to an aging workforce and diminishing number of youth pursuing skilled trades as a first choice career option.
We believe women and other underrepresented groups are an untapped talent pool to help fill these shortages.
Getting hired is still the #1 barrier for women in skilled trades.
What's the business case to hire women in skilled trades?
- A diverse workforce can improve business performance, productivity, public image, market reach and health and safety.
- Women represent a large untapped talent pool for employers of New Brunswick.
- Women are often a loyal workforce long term as they build strong ties with their communities, which reduces absenteeism and turnover for employers
- Women are less likely in today's world to be sidelined by the physical demands of the skilled trades because of advancements in technology
- Women are motivated learners and they contribute to high productivity, innovation and health and safety standards
- Women bring different skills & strengths to the workplace with different communication styles, a collaborative work ethic, excellent attention to details, and good dexterity, etc.
- When women are on the worksite they often take initiative to ensure tools and equipment are cared for resulting in less wear and tear and a cleaner work environment for all
Employers are critical to the New Boots program as they are the ones that hire apprentices to properly train the journeypeople of tomorrow which keeps our industry strong. Skilled trades employers offer well-paying jobs, interesting & challenging work experiences, and training for apprentices.
What is in it for you the employer?
As a New Boots employer, you will have access to a coordinator to assist with
- Access to a network of female apprentices & females working in skilled trades
- Help you create a positive work environment
- Creating diversity policies
- Reviewing and/or improve recruitment processes
- Access to resources, tools and funding resources
- Access to selected New Boots events and NB-MAP training
- Promoting your job posting within our network & social media
- Highlighting your organization as a leader in diversity
How can employers get involved?
- Contact us and join our employer database
- Hire a female apprentice or female journeyperson
- Offer on-site visits, mentoring or job shadowing to girls and women exploring skilled trades
- Attend some of our New Boots and NB-MAP events
- Contact us for diversity training or human resources consultant services
