Ontario Construction News staff writer
In celebration of International Women’s Day on Mar. 6 and Women in Construction Week from Mar. 3 to 9, the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) is hosting an online webinar to discuss actions needed to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive construction industry.
The virtual session on Mar. 8 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. will be held via Zoom, free for CAWIC members and $30 for non-members.
Click this link to register.
Speakers include:
- Lisa Laronde, President, CAWIC; President, RSG International; and Director, Ontario Road Builders’ Association
- Jamie West, Director, CAWIC and President, Peninsula Construction
- Alessandra Valerio, Building Envelope Consultant, UL Solutions
- Susan Carey, President, BuildSafe – Construction Safety Services Inc.
- Elizabeth Driscoll, General Manager, Design Concrete Inc.
- Moderator: Laura van der Kooi, Executive Assistant, RSG International
“With perspectives from across the construction industry, this virtual session will inform, inspire, and activate the necessary changes to help transform the sector and support the women in the industry,” the event description states.
Women in Construction Week celebrates and promotes the role of women in the construction industry. NAWIC held the first WIC Week in 1998 and it has grown and expanded each year since. Many local chapters hold WIC Week events, which can include making presentations to high school classes, job site tours, luncheons and virtual events.
This year is the 26th annual WIC and the theme, ‘Keys to the Future’, celebrates the strength and knowledge of women and the vital role they play in shaping the future of the construction industry.
With women still only representing a small percentage of the construction workforce, it’s an opportunity to talk about opportunities the construction industry provides, share success stories and encourage young women to consider a career in the skilled trades.
Women On Site was created by Constanza, an Environmental Technician, Darci, an Electrical Apprentice, Samara, a Red Seal Sheet Metal worker, and Tessa, Red Seal Bricklayer.
They believe creating a welcoming community for women and underrepresented people in trades, construction, manufacturing, and STEM industries with social events and opportunities connect outside of work is one way to reduce loneliness experienced through underrepresentation in these industries and boost retention of women and underrepresented people in their chosen careers.
“We are four women working in construction and saw the need for a community for people just like us,” Constanza says.
To recognize International Women’s Day on Wed., Mar. 6, Women on Site is hosting in-person meet-ups in several cities. Click on the links for more information or to RSVP for an event:
Ottawa – Mar 6 from 7 to 10 p.m.
- Moose McGuire’s, 3320 McCarthy Rd
Kitchener – Mar 6 from 7 to 10 p.m.
- Arabella Park Beer, 740 Belmont Ave W, Kitchener
Toronto – Mar 6 from 7 to 10 p.m.
- Eastbound Brewing Company, 700 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G9, Canada
London – Mar 6 from 7 to 10 p.m.
- Powerhouse Brewing Company, 100 Kellogg Ln, London, ON N5W 0B4, Canada
Hamilton – Mar 6 from 7 to 10 p.m.
- Fairweather Brewing Company, 5 Ofield Rd Unit #1, Hamilton, ON L8S 2M4, Canada
Calgary – Mar 6 from 7 to 10 p.m.
- Annex Ale Project, 4323 1 St SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2L2, Canada
Montreal – Mar 6 from 7 to 10 p.m.
- La Belle & La Boeuf – Burger Bar, 7077 Bd Newman, LaSalle, QC H8N 1X1, Canada