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 

  • Connecting tradeswomen to employers
  • A registry database of female tradespersons identifying trade, level of apprenticeship, employment status, resumes, travel availability, etc.
  • A Wage Subsidy Program to assist employers with the costs associated with hiring apprentices
  • A Mentorship Program offering speaking engagements and one-on-one mentoring from established tradeswomen to new tradeswomen, as well as high school students in skilled trades classes.
  • Workshops for journeypersons and apprentices preparing for their Red Seal Exams, including initial assessment and ongoing tutoring.

The Tradeswoman Trailblazer Award and Extraordinary Employer Awards were presented at our Sweet Success event.

See Details!



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:

  • Unconscious Bias
  • Women in Trades
  • Bullying and Harassment
  • Safe and Healthy Workplace
  • Bringing Forward Change
  • Being an Ally
  • Mentoring with Intention

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.

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:

  • One-on-one mentoring
  • Presentations through colleges, and women's organizations 
  • Exposure to and experiences from tradeswomen working in their field
  • Women in Trades Days
  • Tradeswomen Testimonials
  • Partners with Skills Canada NL for the Skills Futures for Women Program

who we are

Our Stories

Discover the stories of the tradeswomen and employers supported by the Office to Advance Women Apprentices.


Featured 

 Tradeswoman

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.

Read Her Story

FeatureD

Employer

Meet one of the most progressive companies for women working in the trades. @ H&H Enterprises has a reputation across the country for exceptional work experience for women apprentices. Find out how they’re blazing a trail!

Learn More

FeatureD

Partner

Discover the perfect partnership between us and Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador and how we’re working together to reach the next generation of trades women.

Learn More

Funders & Supporters


Government of Newfoundland & Labrador Logo
ACRC Logo

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CONTACT US

Office to Advance Women Apprentices NL Logo

89 McNamara Drive

Paradise, NL A1L 3W2

1-866-702-OAWA(6292)

Lori Ledrew

Executive Director

Cindy Fowler OAWA NL

CIndy Fowler

Apprentice Placement Specialist

Ashley Kieley - OAWA NL

Ashley Kieley

Workplace Development Liaison

Leigh Wall

Industry Partnership Specialist