Building Futures: My Journey as a Woman in Skilled Trades
In a world where traditional career paths are often emphasized, the skilled trades offer a dynamic and fulfilling alternative that is frequently overlooked, especially for women. Despite the historical underrepresentation of women in this field, there are countless success stories that showcase the opportunities and rewards of a career in the trades. This is one such story—my journey from hesitancy to passion, and from novice to leader in the skilled trades industry.
I entered the skilled trades 19 years ago - in 2005 - after graduating high school and realizing that the university path was not for me. My mom came across a newspaper article advertising a Women In Skilled Trades course and she thought it might interest me. It was a three-month pre-apprenticeship program intended to introduce women to the world of skilled trades, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, fine carpentry and building code.
Initially, I was a little hesitant. I had never considered a career path in the trades because it had never been presented to me as a viable option in high school. I can still remember my first week. Filling my tool belt with my new tools. Getting a new pair of work boots and using a circular saw for the first time. I realized almost immediately that I had found something I was passionate about.
Being in a supportive environment with 19 like-minded women who were in the course made a huge difference, especially in an industry where women were underrepresented. It was reassuring to have that safe space to build our skills and confidence together before taking our first shaky steps onto a real job site.
Out of trade school, I started from the bottom, working for a contracting company (a company that happened to be filming a popular home improvement TV show). At first, I was wearing one hat (a hard hat) as a labourer. As my career evolved, I started wearing multiple hats: business owner, project manager, designer, customer relations, social media marketer and real estate investor.
My job and my career have evolved significantly over time, which is one of the main reasons I got into the trades in the first place. I wanted to find a way to do something that I loved doing while also paving my own path.
I realized through the TV appearances that I had been given a platform and visibility in an industry that desperately needed women representation. “You can’t be what you can’t see” is one of my favourite quotes as it relates to women thriving in male-dominated industries. My involvement proved that I could not only keep up with my male peers on site, but that I was a valuable member of a team in an industry that can be daunting to a woman.
Programs supporting women that create opportunities for visibility and connection are so important - and that’s why I’m so excited about Behr Paint Company’s Women in PaintTM program. It’s a great opportunity for women in the industry or who are thinking about entering the industry (be it the trades or the painting industry itself) to connect with each other, support each other and share experiences and advice.
Emphasizing Unique Strengths:
I love the skilled trades industry and there are so many reasons why women can and will thrive when choosing it as a career path. My hope is that these reasons may convince other women to consider a career in the skilled trades as a promising option for them, too:
- I love working with my hands. When you’re building something, it’s tangible. At the end of the day, it’s extremely rewarding to be able to see and touch what you’ve accomplished.
- I enjoy staying active every day. When you’re on the job, there’s no sitting behind a desk! It’s fulfilling both physically and mentally to be mobile while working on a project.
- The trades industry offers flexibility and entrepreneurial opportunities for women who want to take control of their careers. Women can choose to work as independent contractors, professional painters, or managers, offering a career path that is ever evolving.
- I’ve always enjoyed the design side of renovations and I’m the first to take on the more detailed tasks on site, which is why I’ve always said that painting is one of my favourite trades. I believe many women often have a keen sense of colour coordination and the ability to envision the final outcome. Attention to detail is important as it ensures that every stroke of paint is applied with precision and every job is completed thoroughly and accurately.
- There are also financial benefits to entering the trades - knowing that university was not the path for me, I was able to learn and work on the job site without the burden of having student debt.
- I also love people, and building strong relationships is essential in the trades. By excelling in communication and interpersonal skills, it allowed me to establish rapport and to understand the specific needs and preferences of my clients.
Ultimately, I love what I do. I love building, working with my hands, being active, creative and having control of my future. The trades provided me with all these things. My hope is that by sharing my story and experiences, it encourages other women to consider the skilled trades as a rewarding career path as well.
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