Members of the B.C. chapter of Build TogetHER have never seen a wall they couldn’t either build or break down!

It’s been a busy spring with presentations at Skills BC in April and at the Delta Trades and Career Fair in May. Build TogetHER BC continued on their great work in June by joining with tradeswomen inside and outside the Building Trades for a special construction project at a women’s centre in Vancouver. Women from a variety of affiliates helped with a renovation/build at the WISH Centre in Vancouver’s poorest neighbourhood, the Downtown Eastside. WISH provides a safe haven, resources and referrals for women in the street-based sex trade.

Members of the B.C. chapter of Build TogetHER have never seen a wall they couldn’t either build or break down!

It’s been a busy spring with presentations at Skills BC in April and at the Delta Trades and Career Fair in May. Build TogetHER BC continued on their great work in June by joining with tradeswomen inside and outside the Building Trades for a special construction project at a women’s centre in Vancouver. Women from a variety of affiliates helped with a renovation/build at the WISH Centre in Vancouver’s poorest neighbourhood, the Downtown Eastside. WISH provides a safe haven, resources and referrals for women in the street-based sex trade.

Later in June, members Keke Nasitwitwi (DC 38) and Julia Ballantyne (UA 516) gave two presentations to women who are incarcerated at the Fraser Valley Institution for Women. They highlighted the opportunities available for women in the trades, and provided a non-judgmental, supportive ear to audience members with questions.

Build TogetHER BC has also established its first scholarship to assist other women in the trades. The $1,000 scholarship, which is generously 

funded by Sheet Metal 280, will be awarded to a woman in a union-recognized trades training program, with preference to applicants demonstrating financial need and who can best answer the question, “What am I doing to advance women in the trades?”

Looking ahead, member Ashley Duncan (Insulators 118) is collecting construction apparel to assist women from the Ishtar Transition Housing Society, which assists women victims of violence, pursue a career in the trades. Boots, vests, hard hats and other items will be dropped off later this month.

Also on the horizon in B.C., the new BC Centre for Women in the Trades continues to progress. Build TogetHER congratulates our co-chair, Sandra Brynjolfson, and Joann Greeley, for being hired as the two coordinators. Build TogetHER is a partner in this initiative, which is directed by the BC Federation of Labour. An official launch is scheduled for June 27!