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Manitoba funds training for Indigenous women in water and wastewater installation and other skilled trades

Winnipeg – The Manitoba government is spending more than $600,000 to partner with the Manitoba Construction Sector Council to deliver skilled-trades training for Indigenous women in four northern and remote communities.

This targeted training allows Indigenous women to acquire valuable skills in a supportive environment, and includes ongoing mentorship during training and throughout their careers in the skilled trades.

The program was designed in collaboration with the construction industry. Training will be delivered by the Manitoba Construction Sector Council in framing, water and waste-water installation and blast hole drilling, which are all skills that are in high demand, the government said in a news release.

Training will be delivered in framing, water and waste-water installation and blast hole drilling, which are all skills that are in high demand.

“This project is important as it provides opportunity – opportunity for Indigenous women to learn a skilled trade and opportunity for employers to access a diverse group of qualified women to become part of their workforce,” said Terri Urban, health and safety manager, Parkwest Projects Ltd., and board member of the MCSC. “The board of the MCSC and their partner associations, the Winnipeg Construction Association, Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, Manitoba Home Builders Association and First People’s Development Inc. recognize the importance of providing opportunity to a diverse group to learn a skilled trade.”

The four communities chosen to participate in these programs are Pinaymootang First Nation, Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Dakota Tipi First Nation and York Landing, with training already underway in Pinaymootang and Pimicikamak.

Training begins with a three-week job readiness course and includes safety training certification from the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba and a one-day workshop on women in the trades.

More than 8,000 skilled workers are expected to retire in Manitoba this year, and there are currently not enough skilled labourers to take over these jobs. There is a need to replace an aging workforce in the skilled trades, said economic development and jobs minister Jon Reyes.

For more information on the Manitoba Construction Sector Council, visit https://mbcsc.com/.