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November 10, 2025
Less than six per cent. That’s how many Manitoba jobs in trades, transport, equipment operation and related occupations are filled by women, according to a 2022 Stats Canada calculation.
It takes effort to change a number like that. Good thing MITT isn’t afraid of a little hard work.
For years, MITT has been training, inspiring, and supporting women entering the trades. First Peoples Development Inc. shares that mission through its LauncHER into Trades project, which tackles the barriers that keep women from pursuing Red Seal careers.
This shared goal gave the organizations a perfect opportunity to partner on Explore the Trades: LauncHER Edition, an event held on October 8 for adult women to roll up their sleeves and explore carpentry, electrical applications, industrial mechanic/millwright, and industrial welding in MITT’s trades classrooms.
Clearly, the interest is there. All 80 available spots were claimed.
One of those spots went to Ashley Gerardy, who signed up for both the morning and afternoon sessions so she could try every trade available. It was an experience that opened her eyes to new possibilities.
“Currently, I’m stuck in a field I don’t like, and I was hoping to find a new career path that I could see myself doing,” noted Gerardy. “I can see myself in the field of trades now, whereas I couldn’t before.”
Recruitment efforts for women have been offered in the past. But a focus on high school students has left a lot of women out of the picture.
“We’ve hosted Skills Manitoba Young Women in Trades Conferences for years, which are great events that get girls thinking about the trades,” said Holly Shimaro, Coordinator, Industry Engagement at MITT. “But many people don’t have it all figured out by the end of high school, and career exploration shouldn’t end once you get your diploma. We thought adult women could really benefit from something like this too.”
The event let women try their hands at the trades, with MITT instructors guiding them through activities and offering a glimpse into the industry. Participants also had the opportunity to hear from trade union representatives and meet with the MITT recruitment team, providing them with all the tools they need to start their trades career.
“It was valuable to connect with instructors who explained what we could expect if we’d join the program, from the work we’d do, to our life path, and how long it would take,” said Gerardy.
For First Peoples Development Inc., the event helped address some of the most prevalent barriers for women entering the trades: awareness and confidence.
“You can’t pursue a career that you don’t know exists, and this really exposes women to the opportunities that are out there,” explained Alison Ng, Women in Trades Program Manager for First Peoples Development Inc. “The next step is having the confidence to dive in, which can be tough in traditionally male-dominated industries. We hope that an event like this gives participants confidence by letting them try their hands at these trades and showing them that they won’t be alone as a woman in the trades.”
Missed the event, but still want to explore your options in the trades? Book a campus tour at MITT.ca/visit or visit us at our Open House on February 19, 2026.
You can learn more about our Skilled Trades programs (and other ones, too) at MITT.ca/college-programs.
If you’re a woman in trades, visit fpdinc.ca/program/launcher-into-trades/ to access free support and resources to help you on your journey toward Red Seal certification.
