Women Leading and Building Canada’s Future

A Future in the Skilled Trades: Let’s Build it Together 

In partnership with the Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy – Women in Skilled Trades, NAIT aims to support more women-identifying individuals to pursue a career in the Red Seal skilled trades  before 2027 by: 

  • providing financial supports to reduce financial barriers

  • hosting networking and conference events aimed at facilitating learning opportunities for women in the trades

  • providing EDI training and curriculum review for skilled trades program instructors and staff at NAIT.

  • providing workplace EDI training to support employers with more diverse and inclusive workplaces

Your Best Life Blueprint

A career in the skilled trades can lead to financial freedom and foster self-confidence, independence, and a sense of accomplishment. Through NAIT's programs, you will have access to instructors, staff, and mentors who will support you in your journey into a career in the skilled trades.

Getting Started in the Trades

If you are currently not a sponsored apprentice, there are many different entryway pathways into apprenticeship training at NAIT based on your desired school-work flexibility and education goals.

Have questions? 

Contact an Apprenticeship Coordinator  View Apprenticeship Pathways

Credit Skilled Trades Programs

Programs designed for students who are interested in earning a credited diploma or certificate. Completion of select programs are equal to the classroom portion of apprenticeship training, meaning graduates only need to complete their work hours to earn their Journeyperson certificate.

electrical installations technology student

Skilled Trades Diploma and Certificate Programs

Discover NAIT's Skilled Trades diploma and certificate programs. This apprenticeship pathway allows students to study at NAIT without finding employment first.

Non-credit Skilled Trades Courses

NAIT's non-credit skilled trades programs are designed for students who are interested in pursuing a new career one course at a time! Completion of a non-credit course provides students with the foundational skills and knowledge for entry-level positions in the trades.

Two plumbers analyze test strips

Job Readiness

Prepare for entry-level jobs and/or your apprenticeship by gaining practical knowledge and developing safe work habits.

Electrician

Construction, Trades & Manufacturing

Transform the blueprint of your future with our trades, construction and manufacturing course.

Red Seal Skilled Trades at NAIT

The Red Seal is a recognized standard of excellence for skilled trades in Canada. It demonstrates that an individual has the competencies and skills required to work in a specific trade across Canada and even internationally. To become Red Seal certified, you must complete apprenticeship training and earn your Journeyperson certificate.

The Women Leading and Building Canada’s Future program aims to support women on their journey to enter Red Seal trades that support Canada’s growing construction, manufacturing and energy industries.

Construction Red Seal Trades

NAIT offers apprenticeship training in the following Red Seal trades relevant to the construction industry: 

Energy Red Seal Trades

 NAIT offers apprenticeship training in the following Red Seal trades relevant to the energy industry:

Manufacturing Red Seal Trades

NAIT offers apprenticeship training in the following Red Seal trades relevant to the manufacturing industry:

Financial Supports

The Women Leading and Building Canada’s future program is proud to provide financial support for  women-identifying students working towards a Red Seal certification in construction, energy or manufacturing trades. These supports are meant to help reduce financial barriers to allow women to pursue new opportunities in the skilled trades. Financial supports provided through WLBCF can help cover the costs of:

  • child-care while attending apprenticeship training at NAIT

  • housing (rent or short-term rentals) while attending apprenticeship training at NAIT

  • required learning materials such as textbooks, tools, or PPE

Apply for FundingView Eligibility Requirements

Have questions about funding or want to learn more about your options and pathways into the trades?
Contact an Apprenticeship Coordinator or View a list of skilled trades programs.

A woman in a woodshop looks over her carpentry work.

Are you ready to build your future?

Apply for apprenticeship training through My Trade Secrets or contact us to speak with an
Apprenticeship Cordinator for guidance on where to start your journey.

Apply NowContact Us

Events

Conect, engage, and become inspired by other women with experience in the skilled trades. Events are open to women of all backgrounds and experiences in the skilled trades, whether you are just begining your apprenticeship training or have decades in the  industry.

Add these upcoming dates to your calendar! Stay up to date on registration by contacting womenintrades@nait.ca. 

Upcoming events

Networking events

  • October 1, 2025

  • December 3, 2025

  • January 28, 2026

  • April 29, 2026

​Conferences

  • March 5, 2026

Trade Connections - October 1, 2025

Are you a woman interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades? Join us October 1 to learn more about how you can enter the trades and meet women working in the industry today.

Build Her Up: Skilled Trades Conference

Build Her Up is a free conference that will create an inclusive space for discussion and learning for women and other underrepresented groups, employers, and industry leaders in the skilled trades.

Jill of All Trades

Jill of all Trades is a day-long event with the goal of introducing female and female identifying high school students to the prospect of a rewarding career in the skilled trades.

Get Inspired

10 tips for women starting out in construction trades

Wisdom from more than a decade on the job as a crane operator

Mar. 06, 2025 Posted on techlifetoday.nait.ca

NAIT grad fosters trades “sisterhood” with YEG Blue Collar Women

Growth of meetup group confirms what Morgan Bosch sees as need for “solidarity”

Mar. 04, 2025 Posted on techlifetoday.nait.ca

Blazing a trail in the trades

How Electrician Solome Lwanga is leading the way for women in her field

Feb. 01, 2024 Posted on techlifetoday.nait.ca

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for the Women Leading and Building Canada’s Future grant?

To be eligible for this project, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Applicants must self-identify as women and actively enrolled as an apprentice in any of the underlined apprenticeship programs in construction, energy, or manufacturing or registered as a pre-apprentices. 
    • Apprentice: actively registered in an apprentice education program at NAIT in the skilled trades listed in Appendix A with a MyTrades Secrets apprentice number.
    • Pre-apprentice: enrolled in a skilled trades program at NAIT that can further their trades education and have a MyTrades Secrets number.

Appendix A: Eligible Red Seal apprenticeship programs

Boilermaker Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental)
Cabinetmaker Machinist
Carpenter Crane and Hoist Equipment Operator
Electrician Plumber
Gasfitter - Class A Powerline Technician
Gasfitter - Class B Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
Glazier Roofer
Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) Sheet Metal Worker Journeyperson
Instrumentation and Control Technician Steamfitter/Pipefitter
Insulator (Heat and Frost) Welder

Ironworker (Reinforcing)

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix B: Eligible pre-apprentice programs with MyTrades Secret number

Diplomas Certificates
Advanced Carpentry Technology CNC Machinist Technician
Advanced Plumbing Technology Heating Ventilation Air COnditioning Refrigeration Technician
Advanced Welding Technology  
Electrical Installations Technology  

 

How do I apply for the grant?

  1. Complete official application form available here.
  2. Attach required supporting documents (which may include proof of expenses incurred through official receipts).
  3. Submit through the online portal.

What type of expenses are covered by the grant?

Expenses covered by the grant vary between apprentice and pre-apprentice students. Allowed expenses breakdown is as follows:

Awards Pre-Apprentices Apprentices Journey Person
Tuition *Limited to academic pre-requisites √ n/a
Living expenses n/a √ n/a
Dependent care/child care n/a √ n/a
Materials, books and supplies n/a √ n/a

*pre-apprentices requiring academic prerequisites and training in Math, Science, English as a Second Language to enter apprenticeship training

How much funding can I receive?

Up to a maximum of $2,000 per student/ period of study.

How is my grant application evaluated?

Applications are evaluated based on application criteria in alignment with the project objectives. A review panel (Student Awards and Financial Aid) will conduct the evaluation process.

When will I know if my application is successful?

Applicants can expect to receive a decision within 2 weeks after submission. All applicants will be notified via email, and successful applicants will receive further instructions on the next steps.

What happens if my application is rejected?

Unsuccessful applicants will receive a notification explaining the decision. Feedback may be provided to help applicants understand the reason for rejected applications. Applicants may reapply if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Are there any reporting requirements if I receive the grant?

Grant participants may be required to share their testimonials. Specific reporting guidelines will be provided upon awarding of the grant.

Can I apply for the grant more than once?

Applicants are generally eligible to reapply for future grant cycles even if they have been previous recipients, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

Additional Information

For more detailed information or specific inquiries, please contact an Apprenticeship Coordinator.

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