Alair Homes and Lacey Construction, two lower mainland construction companies, are working to foster a sense of community in the building industry by holding networking events for women in construction.
“I think a key part of staying in this business and enjoying it is having a sense of belonging and of community,” said Lesa Lacey, business manager with Mission’s Lacey Construction.
“And with many projects completed by multi-disciplinary teams who are doing things at different times, it can be challenging to find those moments of connection.”
Women in construction from across the Fraser Valley and beyond attended a sold out golf night at the Fraserglen Golf Course last month. The evening included lessons at the driving range, refreshments and networking opportunities in a relaxed atmosphere. The event saw two dozen women come together from all aspects of the industry, including those working in the trades, interior design, human resources, management and marketing.
“The response has been so positive,” said Kristina Matisic, regional community manager for Alair Homes. “We have people emailing asking when the next event will be held. That really speaks to the need to have events like this, where women can feel comfortable to swap stories and business cards.”
According to BuildForce Canada, more than 39,200 workers are looking to retire this year, increasing the industry’s overall hiring requirement to 52,600 workers by the end of 2023. A key demographic for filling the trades and construction gap are women.
Statistics Canada reports that women make up 14.8 per cent of the BC construction workforce. Currently, about 10.5 per cent of all apprentices in the province are women, up from 8.5 per cent in 2009, a trend that the BC Government hopes to foster and grow.
“There has never been a better time for women to consider a career in the trades. We are facing incredible economic opportunities and preparing for unprecedented demand for skilled labour over the next decade. Programs like the Women in Trades Training Program provide women with the support and resources they need to be successful if they choose to pursue a career in the trades,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour.
If you are a woman in construction in the Fraser Valley and would like more details on this or future events, please contact Lacey at lesa@laceydevelopments.com or Matisic at Kristina.matisic@alairhomes.com.
