The times are changing and we’re starting to see more and more women embarking upon trades than ever before. The demand for carpenters, electricians and plumbers is high, so there are countless opportunities for women to get into this line of work. In a joint partnership, Opaskwayak Cree Nation Education Department and University College of the North (UCN) offered a nine-month OCN Home Builders Course for Indigenous women to pick up on the carpentry trade.
“The OCN Home Builders Program started on May 18, 2022, with Pre-employment Trades Communication skills a week prior to the start date,” said Red Seal Vocational Education Carpenter Annette R. Head. “There were 12 women that enrolled in the program and all were Indigenous. They had some carpentry experience and this was new to the rest of the ladies.