Amanda Rees has blazed a trail in so many ways and we’re so proud she’s been awarded this year’s Trailblazer Award winner. Read her story and discover how she’s shaping the world of trades for women in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Supporting Women in Skilled Trades
Contact your local office 1-866-702-6292 (OAWA)
what we do
Office to Advance Women Apprentices NL
The Office to Advance Women Apprentices Newfoundland and Labrador has a mandate to increase employment opportunities for women in the skilled trades. Identifying these tradeswomen is a critical step in the process. If you’re a tradeswoman or student currently enrolled in a trades training program, get in touch.
The Office to Advance Women Apprentices Offers
The Tradeswoman Trailblazer Award and Extraordinary Employer Awards were presented at our Sweet Success event.
2024/25 Scholarships
Supporting Women in Skilled Trades Scholarships
The Office to Advance Women Apprentices Newfoundland and Labrador is offering three (3) “Supporting Women in Skilled Trades” scholarships for the 2024/25 school year, each valued at $5000 to assist in removing financial barriers to pursuing a skilled trade program.
We are excited to announce our 2nd Annual Supporting Women in Skilled Trades Auction is now OPEN!
Join us for this year's Supporting Women in Skilled Trades Auction! Your winning bids will directly influence the lives of women striving to break barriers and excel in fields such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and more.
The proceeds from our 2023 auction enabled us to award three $5,000 scholarships to women entering skilled trades programs. By supporting this initiative, you are contributing to the creation of a more inclusive and diverse workforce, ensuring that talented women have the opportunity to thrive in these vital professions. Together, we can build a brighter future for women in trades.
Thank you for your support!
ANNOUNCEMENT
CALL FOR ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
As part of our efforts to expand our impact and guidance, the Newfoundland and Labrador Office are forming an Advisory board. We are reaching out to individuals who share our vision and passion for creating opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated fields. We invite individuals who share our commitment to empowering women in skilled trades to consider serving on our Advisory Board.
Training opportunities
Mentoring Women in the Trades Through Awareness and Understanding
This Workshop’s goal is to reduce workplace cultural barriers for women in trades by creating a positive and healthy mentor/mentee relationship. The program will provide employers, Journey Persons and supervisors the tools they need to be a strong mentor to women in the trades. This 6 hour workshop will be offered free of charge and will include the following topics:
Training will be offered in-person throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador as well as virtually to accommodate as many participants as possible.
Register NOw!
Join Our Network
If you’re a tradeswoman looking for work, whether you’re pre-apprentice, an apprentice, Journeyperson, or if you’re currently enrolled in a trades program, register to become part of the Office to Advance Women Apprentices network.
By registering, we will assist you with your job search; building a functional resume; interview prep; and assist with barriers to employment or job site issues.
Registered clients have access to mentoring, networking, events in your area, and we’ll help to create a path for other tradeswomen to follow.
Register NOw!
Exploring the Trades
If you’re interested in exploring a career in a skilled trade our office can assist you. Please complete the short registration below to get in touch with us.
Resources for NL Tradeswomen and Employers
EMPLOYERS
We Connect Apprentices & Employers
Employers can contact the Office to Advance Women Apprentices to hire apprentices from our vast database of qualified apprentices across the province. When you’re hiring, let us know and we’ll forward resumes from highly-skilled tradeswomen directly to you to speed up and simplify your hiring process.
*Note: Employer's names are kept confidential unless otherwise specified by the employer.
Wage Subsidies Available
The Office to Advance Women Apprentices also offers a wage subsidy incentive for Newfoundland and Labrador employers hiring women apprentices. The subsidy provides 75% wage support for two contracts following a five-to-seven day, in-house approval process. We’ll also provide additional support to individual employees throughout the contract.
For more information on how to access the wage subsidy program, get in touch with our Placement Co-ordinator at 866-702-6292 (OAWA).
MEntorship
Women Lifting Women
Tradeswomen in this province are trailblazers, creating a path for women interested in careers in trades and women working in the trades who would like the support of other tradeswomen. The Office to Advance Women Apprentices leverages that work by offering a mentorship program connecting established women apprentices and journeywomen with those just getting started in their careers.
Share your experiences as a tradeswoman in Newfoundland and Labrador by contacting us at 1-866-702-OAWA(6292) or email contact@womenapprentices.ca.
Our program provides:
who we are
Our Stories
Discover the stories of the tradeswomen and employers supported by the Office to Advance Women Apprentices.
Featured
Tradeswoman
Resources for Newfoundland & Labrador Tradeswomen and Employers
Funders & Supporters


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