Check out Amy Carr's interview with the Victoria News!

Build TogetHER's Amy Carr and Becky Lupton were honoured by the B.C. Construction Association.

Bigger, better and building together - that's how we roll!

The Mainland Nova Scotia Building Trades Council has announced the creation of a Nova Scotia Build TogetHER chapter, and we are thrilled.

The announcement was made at the Mainland Nova Scotia Building Trades fifth annual conference in Halifax, where Build TogetHER members shared their experiences in the industry, along with the group’s plans to promote, support and mentor women, while working to change the stereotypes of the skilled trades to make it a more accessible career to women and other minorities.

Congratulations, Build TogetHER Nova Scotia!

Tradeswomen break through all kinds of barriers when they enter the male-dominated construction industry. They overcome systemic discrimination, prejudices about their abilities, fewer job opportunities, and even access to clean, accessible washrooms.

Fireproofer Kyra Liddle has been in construction long enough to appreciate the changes in attitudes towards women on the job sites.

“More employers are open to hiring women. They are seeing the attention to detail is there,” Liddle said of the changes she has seen over the past 20 years. Though women still represent only about four per cent of construction tradespeople, project labour agreements (PLAs) have opened doors and created more opportunities for women, especially on big jobs.

“Yes. If it’s a unionized job with a project labour agreement, more women are going to get on site,” she said. Liddle has worked on major projects like BC Place, GM Place, the Vancouver Convention Centre, and many airports. “I have worked, not only all over B.C. and Alberta, I have worked in the Yukon. I have worked in Iqaluit.”

However, barriers remain. When Liddle goes out on a job with a helper – invariably a man – many people assume she is the helper. And something as basic as lack of access to graffiti-free, clean, and functioning washroom facilities reduces productivity, creates health risks, and discourages women from working in the trades.

Liddle said the situation could be improved by providing separate washroom facilities for women on all sites.

“Our bathroom situation is disgusting,” she added. “There isn’t a woman in the trades who would disagree.”

No doubt, many men as well. BC Building Trades executive director Tom Sigurdson said the situation facing some women tradespeople “is disgusting. Female construction workers deserve the same dignity and working conditions as men. That includes recognition of physical differences and requirements.”

Poor sanitation is a major cause of disease and can be a serious occupational health risk. Construction workers are often at risk from exposure to infectious diseases on construction projects due to poor sanitary conditions associated with toilets and clean-up facilities.

“The current situation is not going to attract women to the trades,” Liddle said. “If you are not driven, tough-skinned, and can’t handle seeing piles of crap, you’re not going to make it.” On some jobs around town, Liddle said she has had to go in search of washroom facilities at gas stations. But that means time away from the job and lost productivity. On big jobs, it’s less of a problem. Companies dedicate one or more washrooms for female workers.

WorkSafeBC requires that employers ensure washroom facilities are readily available and be:

• maintained in proper working order
• kept clean and sanitary, and
• provided with the supplies necessary for their use.

Build TogetHER's joint submission to the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training to develop programs to recruit, support and sustain women in the trades was successful.

The announcement was made by Premier John Horgan and AEST Minister Melanie Mark on the steps of the provincial legislature against a spectacular backdrop of our tradeswomen on International Women’s Day. BuildTogetHER members Amy Carr and Lisa Langevin also spoke at the event on their experiences in the trades and why we need to change the culture – now.

Now, Build TogetHER, the women’s committee of the Building Trades, the BC Federation of Labour and the BC Tradeswomen Society will partner to develop a suite of services that will improve career opportunities for women in the construction trades.

Congratulations to everyone involved! Read the full media release, and check out images from the news conference.

The BuildTogetHER BC team held their annual general meeting on Saturday, Feb. 3 and developed a year-long work plan aimed at advancing women in trades in the commercial, institutional and industrial sectors.

The team had a successful 2017. Members:

• Held a Tradeswoman Garage Sale
• Presented to the BC Building Trades Conference
• Participated in the Women Build Nations Conference, including facilitating a panel on networking for women across Canada, and sat on a panel for industry women leaders
• Participated in the Mission Women in Trades Conference and the Delta Career Fair
• Presented at Skills BC
• Presented to the Canadian Girls for Science
• Took part in the Women’s March

For 2018, BuildTogetHER BC will continue to support the advancement of women in trades by taking part in various initiatives and events, including the BCBT Building our Futures conference, Skills BC, Union of BC Municipalities, Steveston Salmon Festival, Labour Day, Women Build Nations and We for She.

Additional goals include expanding the team’s reach via the BuildTogetHER website and social media channel, and increasing prominence on the BCBT’s general communication channels.

The team will also establish a $1,000 scholarship for women in trades and advocate for $10 per day child care.

BC Build Together representative Sandra Brynjolfson encouraged her company, Western Pacific Enterprises, to do an employer match fundraising drive and raised over $13, 000 for the Surrey...