More females than ever before are becoming HAZMAT workers, EIFS workers, painters, glaziers and drywall finishers throughout the nation. This is spurring many Canadian women to become members of unions such as the IUPAT. As a result, unions are becoming more gender-neutral, and consumers of trades are beginning to recognize that the chromosomes with which we are born have little to do with ability when it comes to hands-on jobs.
Why the Face of Tradespeople is Changing
Over the past generation, scores of Canadian and American women have begun to enter trades that were typically thought of as career paths for men. The reasons for their mass entry into these types of professions boil down to several realities:
- Schools are encouraging women to pursue careers that might not have traditionally been offered to females.
- Technological equipment and advances have enabled some aspects of the trades to become less physically demanding. (It should be noted that this has been a boon for males on the job sites as well.)
- Women have begun to realize that workers in trades can make exceptional wages. In fact, some of the most high-paying jobs are held by tradespeople who have proven their abilities.
- The trades are an equal opportunity employer. Men and women are paid equally for the work they do.
Given these facts, it’s clear to see why women have begun to flock to trades schools and apprenticeships.
How Unions Are Helping Canadian Women Overcome Remaining Societal Hurdles
While trades professionals are embracing the influx of women into career paths like drywall, painting and glaziers/metal technicians, society is lagging a bit behind. This is one of the reasons so many women are turning to unions to help them overcome societal hurdles and unrealistic expectations.
A union such as the IUPAT is able to educate the public on what’s happening within the trades industries it serves, as well as showcase females who have broken the proverbial glass ceiling by making names for themselves as glaziers, painters and more. In addition, the IUPAT can help interested women gain more expertise through on-the-job placement and other educational avenues.
In the end, the winners of increased numbers of women entering the trades are the Canadian people who get the benefit of exceptional work.
