On behalf of BC CENTRE FOR WOMEN IN THE TRADES
BCCWITT News
Connect with BCCWITT!
We have a busy fall with our staff taking part in many conferences and conventions… If you’re attending too, we’d love to connect.
- Sept. 27-29, New Orleans: Tradeswomen Build Nations
- Oct. 2, Vancouver: GBA+ Forum: No One is Left Behind
- Oct. 3, Victoria: Women’s PPE Showcase
- Oct. 7-9, Penticton: BC Municipal Safety Association Conference and Trade Show
- Oct. 24-25, Vancouver: BC Construction Health & Safety Conference
- Nov. 7-8, Vancouver: Career Education Society Conference
- Nov. 21, Winnipeg: Manitoba Women in Trades Conference
- Nov. 30, Burnaby: Connecting Tradeswomen Empowerment Roadshow
Stand Up for Safe Workplaces: Interest List and Info Session
Our promo for Stand Up for Safe Workplaces is now live on our website! Developed in partnership with the BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) Health & Safety Centre, this innovative new program that will help participants understand diversity, equity and inclusion through the lens of workplace safety, including psychological injury prevention. We expect to complete curriculum development and launch the training program in spring 2025. You’re invited to join the interest list here, and we will update you with program details as soon as they are available. We are also hosting an info session on the project for members of our network on Wednesday October 16 at 6 pm: Sign up here.
Next BCCWITT Info Session: October 17 @ 6 pm
Coming up on the evening of Thursday, October 17th from 6-7pm: Meet BCCWITT staff, hear about our programs, and learn about what we’re doing to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive skilled trades industry, at our next info session! Employers, labour organizers, tradespeople, trades training staff, and anyone interested in our work are welcome to join us for this free & fun virtual event. Register here. Can’t make that one? No problem! We will also be hosting one on Thursday, November 21st from noon-1pm: Register here.
Funding Opportunities
BCCWITT Project Grant and BCCWITT Career Advancement Bursary
Please check out our TWO funding initiatives:
- The BCCWITT Project Grant provides up to $5000 in seed funding for Leaders in Trades program participants to organize, coordinate, and host initiatives that promote skilled trades careers to youth and equity priority people of all genders and recruit them across British Columbia. If you are not a LIT participant but want to connect with one to access this funding, please email us at info@bccwitt.ca.
- Applications for our BCCWITT Career Advancement Bursary for this quarter open again on October 15: This initiative offers equity-priority tradespeople of all genders with up to $1000 once per fiscal year (April 2024 – March 2025) to fund any part of the expenses related to accessing training, certifications, networking, and educational opportunities, including tools, travel costs, child care, and more.
Details are on the program page of our website: https://bccwitt.ca/bccwitt-bursary-project-grant/
Advocacy and Networking Opportunities
APPLY NOW for Upcoming Be More Than A Bystander Train the Trainer Program, Oct. 30-Nov. 1 in Burnaby
We are currently accepting applications for a Train-the-Trainer (men only) cohort of Be More Than A Bystander! This course is fully funded for those who work and/or live in BC and is taking place at the BCFED Health & Safety Centre (120-4259 Canada Way, Burnaby). For those who work and live outside of BC, please contact us for fees. APPLY HERE: https://hipaa.jotform.com/BCCWITT/Bystander-Application
FREE Public Virtual 2-Hour Be More Than A Bystander Workshops, Oct. 23 & Nov. 6
This fall, we have two public virtual workshops of Be More Than A Bystander, taking place on Wednesday, October 23 from 6-8pm PST (men only) and Wednesday, November 6 from 6-8pm PST (for participants of all genders). These workshops are FREE for participants for skilled trades workers or employers in BC, with limited spaces available at a fee for participants who live or work outside the province. Register here: https://bccwitt.ca/were-hosting-two-virtual-be-more-than-a-bystander-workshops-this-fall/
October 3rd @ 4-7PM: FREE Women’s PPE Showcase at Camosun College CTEI (Interurban Campus), Victoria
Get your free tickets here: https://ow.ly/tvSJ50TuExG and join us to showcase the innovation & growth of women in our industry! In partnership with Vancouver Island Constructions Association, VICA Women in Construction, Camosun College, BC Construction Association, and the Construction Foundation of BC, this will spotlight apparel designed for a diverse range of body types, addressing a critical need in our industry. Event highlights include booths from PPE providers & partners showcasing products & services, great door prizes, and food & drinks. Everyone welcome!
LOWER MAINLAND SKILLED TRADES EMPLOYERS: Are you hiring new apprentices? We need YOU for our upcoming job fair featuring our try-a-trade cohort!
We’re hosting a job fair for our Try A Trade program participants and want to connect with more employers in the lower mainland who are hiring apprentices. The event will be taking place at Ace Trades and Technical Institute in Surrey on Wednesday, October 16th from 9 am – 12 noon. For more information and to apply, visit https://ow.ly/lIs550TqwIU
Want to become a carpenter? Join our interest list!
Women (including transwomen) in British Columbia: Have you ever considered becoming a carpenter? We are working on an introduction to carpentry program in Victoria and want to hear from you! Complete this form to join our interest list, and if you meet the eligibility requirements, you will be emailed with more information as it becomes available: https://ow.ly/3zuN50TuIrf
Opportunity for BCCWITT Network: Financial Services with Community Savings Credit Union
Recognizing the start-up costs to begin a career, and the cost-of-living crunch that many of us are facing, our partner Community Savings is offering a 3-year interest free line of credit, and 3 years of free banking for the BCCWITT network, including both union and non-union workers. This package creates savings of over $2700 over three years. Community Savings is a credit union formed by the labour movement and provides best-in-class financial services to its members across six branches in the Lower Mainland and Victoria. To sign up for this exclusive offer, visit https://unionmember.comsavings.com *Terms and conditions apply. Limited time offer.
In addition, members of Community Savings, who are also enrolled in CIRP, qualify for the Recovery Protection Program: Members undergoing treatment for mental health and addition will have access to three months of relief on loan and mortgage payments and a suspension of all service fees. This program furthers Community Savings’ first-of-its-kind commitment to supporting union workers with three months of relief during lockout or strike action in BC. Other worker-supportive programs include Express Loans, a fair and ethical alternative to predatory payday loans and an annual disaster relief fund available to support union workers impacted by climate change emergencies.
Saturday, Nov. 30: WINSETT’s Connecting Tradeswomen Empowerment Roadshow in Burnaby
This FREE event will feature networking, leadership development sessions, and access to mentorship resources in support of women on their trades journey. Open to tradeswomen in industrial and construction trades at all career stages: Pre-apprentice, apprentice, journeyperson and tradeswomen holding other roles are all welcome! Registration requires a $50 deposit that is fully refundable upon attendance; participants missing work to attend are eligible for a $200 honourarium. More info: https://ow.ly/m6fb50Tn0C6