Excerpts
...
While the number of women in the trades is on the rise, comprising four per cent of the workforce, retention remains a challenge, with about one-third leaving after a year.
A 2022 survey by the Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen found child care was among the main challenges women in the sector face.
They said more maternity and child-care help is needed, and three-quarters said the hours of construction have posed problems for them. More than half reported turning down work because they were unable to find any care for their children. Most agreed that there’s little flexibility for them when raising a family.
...
The province recorded an increase of about 30 per cent in female apprentice registrations in construction from 2022-23 to 2023-24.
When compared to rates in 2017, there’s been a 227 per cent rise.