Canada has 1.2 million construction workers, but women only currently represent approximately 4% of the construction trades.

The Office to Advance Women Apprentices Newfoundland and Labrador was established in 2009 with funding from the provincial government, with a mandate of increasing employment opportunities for women in the skilled trades.

The office provides ongoing support to tradeswomen seeking work or already employed in the skilled trades. This includes providing career services, employment supports, and networking opportunities for tradeswomen. The Office to Advance Women Apprentices has partnerships with employers, trades unions, government, and training institutions to assist in accomplishing these goals.

The organization has expanded and now has six provincial offices across the country in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan