Women Leading and Building Canada’s Future

Empowering women-identifying individuals to pursue a career in the Red Seal skilled trades

In partnership with the Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy – Women in Skilled Trades, NAIT aims to support more women-identifying individuals pursuing 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

Shaping Canada's Future

The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum predicts Alberta will need 26,000 new journeypersons and 51,000 new apprentices in the top 15 Red Seal trades by 2026 to meet industry demand. Currently, women represent 5% of workers in the most in-demand skilled trades.

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

A career that sparks purpose. Let’s build it together.

Red Seal Skilled Trades

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:

WLBCF 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 skills 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

Networking & Conferences

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
  • September 25, 2024
  • November 27, 2024
  • January 29, 2025
  • March 26, 2025
  • May 28, 2025
Conferences
  • March 6, 2025
Sep. 25, 2024 Event

Trade Connections: Women Leading and Building Canada's Future

Join us for an evening of networking with women in skilled trades. Meet apprentices, Journeypeople, NAIT instructors, and industry leaders.

Register Today

Get Inspired

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

Time's up. #MeToo has come for the skilled trades

How women are taking their rightful place in the sector

Dec. 06, 2021 Posted on techlifetoday.nait.ca

Cecile Bukmeier makes history as advocate for women in trades

Program's first-ever female instructor shows how the trades have changed - and how far there is to go

Mar. 08, 2018 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 on the myNAIT student portal.
  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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