Women's Directorate

Women in Trades & Technology

Smart Cookies and their Dough - a Forum on Money, Careers and Business for Yukon Women

The Women's Directorate works closely with the Yukon Women in Trades and Technology (YWITT) organization and other partners, including Yukon College, Skills Canada and the Department of Education, to increase women's representation in trades and technology careers. The Women's Directorate is involved in the annual Young Women Exploring Trades Conferences and the 16-week Trades Exploration and Preparation for Women course at Yukon College.

The Women’s Directorate and the Department of Education released the Yukon Women in Trades Follow-up Report in 2005 [4MB ]. Recommendations in the report inform the work at the Women's Directorate that both encourages women to explore trades, and employers and industry to welcome them.

Yukon Women in Trades and Technology is an education and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting and assisting in the recruitment, training and retention of women in the trades, technology, operations and blue-collar work.

WITT offers introductory courses for adults in carpentry, painting, electrical, welding and sheet metal. They also hold an annual conference and school-based workshops for young women.

YWITT has been instrumental in presenting the Women Exploring Trades and Technology Program at Yukon college.  This is a 16-week program providing the opportunity to explore the skilled trades and also develop personal skills which will enable women to function effectively in traditionally male dominated workplaces.

Contact Information:
Phone: (867) 667-4441
Fax: (867) 667-5689
Email: ywitt@yukonwitt.org
Web: http://www.yukonwitt.org/ 

"There are two basic facts. One, Canada and the Yukon are facing serious labour market shortages in skilled trades. Two, there are relatively few women in these fields," said Betty Irwin, WITT Coordinator.

"We can meet this demand for skilled trades workers by encouraging more women to start a rewarding and well-paying career in the trades," she said.

"A lot of women are interested in trades work. Through a hands-on introduction we encourage them to pursue further training or an apprenticeship program," Irwin said.