WHO WE ARE. Goal is to enhance employment opportunities for women participating in the skilled trades within the province. Reason for this initiative

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2 WHO WE ARE The Office to Advance Women Apprentices (OAWA) was created and is funded through the Department of Advanced Education Skills and Labour in the province of Newfoundland & Labrador and is managed by United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Local 579 Goal is to enhance employment opportunities for women participating in the skilled trades within the province Reason for this initiative

3 WHAT WE DO Work collaboratively with government, industry, unions, employers, trades colleges and other key stakeholders to: provide career counselling to high school females and women in province who are interested in skilled trades as a career choice assist tradeswomen gain and maintain employment in the skilled trades; assist with barriers on the jobsite or gaining employment; and help tradeswomen advance through their apprenticeship to obtain Journeyperson certification

4 OAWA does this by:

5 Connecting Apprentices Employers Barriers

6 Registry Database Programs and Services The Office has a registry database that is instantly accessible and includes a listing of over 1,750 female tradespersons within Newfoundland and Labrador. When an employment opportunity arises, the Office reviews the database to determine suitable candidates for the employer according to the desired qualifications. Resumes are then forwarded to the employer for review. Coaching and Mentoring The Office has established a coaching and mentoring model to work with the employer and apprentice to ensure a smooth transition which results in a rewarding experience for all parties. Training The Office offers organizational training that is customized to meet employer needs in order to transition and adapt to a change in the composition of a workplace. Advisory Services The Office has expertise in the area of employment equity initiatives and requirements. It is able to provide support in developing and implementing women s employment and diversity plans, as well as strategically communicating diversity-related initiatives.

7 Assist with Barriers faced on Jobsite/ or Barriers to Career Advancement Women connect with OAWA if they are facing issues on the jobsite, need support with apprenticeship hours or need assistance with safety or training courses that may hinder them from employment. Journeyperson Preparation Workshop The Office runs a one-day Journey Person Preparation workshop, aimed to help prepare tradeswomen for writing their Red Seal exam. Trades Union Collaboration OAWA has forged a union collaboration committee that includes union, government and OAWA representation to talk about best practices, issues unions or tradeswomen faced on industrial site and ideas/initiatives for moving forward. Promotion/Advertising Partnerships All areas of social media, partnerships with employers, trades colleges, unions, etc. for radio ads, metro bus ads, conferences, etc.

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9 Mentorship/Counselling/Networking Engagement Skills Trades Conferences for Women & Youth Partnerships with Provincial Career Counselling Offices in Province In house Mentoring Program Tradeswomen networking sessions Speakers Series Speaking engagements at Single Parent Association, Pre-trades programs Support Skills Canada with their Skills Work for Women Conferences

10 Accomplishments to Date Assisted over 1,200 tradeswomen with obtaining employment Introduced new employers to hiring female apprentices Assisted with advancing 153 tradeswomen to obtain Red Seal Journeyperson certification Addressed supply of appropriate PPE being provided for tradeswomen Worked with large contractors to address issues of women not being assigned appropriate duties on sites Employers now contacting OAWA asking for resumes of tradeswomen when they are looking to hire. Successful in having diversity numbers for hiring increased within provincial government sector and other large governing bodies

11 Ongoing Initiatives Working with new local company for launching a PPE clothing line for tradeswomen Creating partnerships to enhance skills for current tradeswomen during downturn of construction projects OAWA Speakers Series Roundtable Networking Sessions Muskrat Falls Networking Sessions Employer Appreciation Events

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13 Tradeswomen Journeyperson Recognition Night

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18 Investment Does Make the Difference Noted as a best practice at Provincial Construction Conference Partnerships with trades colleges throughout the province to do integration workshops during first month of pre-apprenticeship training programs on inclusion and being part of a changing culture. Ambassador Program working with companies to identify both female & male Journeypersons to be Ambassadors for new women entering their companies not just to sign off hours/tasks but to mentor them through their careers. Working with Unions to host Shop Steward training for tradeswomen and using Ambassadors to encourage women to take on these roles. Called on Provincial Government, cities, towns, and health authorities throughout the province to review the number of women then have hired in trades positions.

19 This past year has been the highest number of tradeswomen hired by small and medium companies 10 Members of Provincial Apprenticeship Board and 5 are women three of which are Journeypersons Having young tradeswomen to lead initiatives that OAWA hosts Working to encourage tradeswomen to step up, put their names forward for executive boards in their unions and get a seat at the table. This is where we still need to see the change Working on initiative of introducing local tradeswomen to the young girls and teachers in their local region through video clips/photos to be promoted in schools, girl guides, scouts, etc. Evening coffee house events targeting parents and daughters At our Employer Networking Event earlier this month we recognized an employer who has a 50/50 hire tradespeople Another company who has had 8 female carpenters hired 2 of which lead hands.

20 Provincial Government Foresight: Office Benefits & Diversity Agreements Using Balance to Build Document You know progress is being made when..

21 Connect With Us Facebook: Office to Advance Women Apprentices