Page 30 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE_January2025

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

CWB Foundation

report unveils

groundbreaking

success in skilled

trades

By Canada Newswire

The CWB Foundation was proud to announce
the release in the fall of the Women of Steel™:
Forging Forward Impact Report.

This comprehensive report documents the significant strides it
made in empowering women across Canada with employable
skills, particularly in industries where they are historically
underrepresented, such as welding and materials joining
skilled trades.
There continues to be a high demand for welding professionals.
According to the 2023 National Labour Market Information
Report from the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, welding
continues to be at risk, with only 4,088 Red Seal completions CWB FOUNDATION PHOTO
projected between 2023-2027, but 12,485 required to meet
industry demand. The CWB Foundation's Women of Steel: Forging Forward
Despite seeing an 8% rise in female Red Seal completion rates initiative saw:
between 2017 and 2022, according to Statistics Canada, there • 212 participants enrolled in 18 cohorts across Canada,
remains the opportunity to tap into a severely underrepresented surpassing the initial target of 180 participants;
group in the industry. Women currently comprise just 4.5% of
the skilled trades workforce, despite their immense potential • 450 CWB tests administered, resulting in 620 welding
to drive economic growth and innovation. qualifications issued, enhancing participants'
To address this, the CWB Foundation launched the Women of employability;
Steel: Forging Forward project in 2022 as part of the broader • 77% of participants become employed or continue
Women of Steel initiative, which delivered pre-employment education in a welding-related field post-program.
welding training to women and fostered workplace inclusivity The Women of Steel: Forging Forward Impact Report highlights
across Canada. The program exceeded expectations and the effect these programs have in addressing workforce
focused on breaking down barriers for women from diverse shortages and fostering diversity in the skilled trades.
backgrounds, including racialized women, Indigenous women,
women with disabilities, and women from the 2SLGBTQI+ The CWB Welding Foundation is a national not-for-profit
community. registered charity founded by the Canadian Welding Bureau
Participants received hands-on pre-employment welding (CWB) dedicated to advancing skilled trades careers, including
welding and materials joining. Committed to preparing the
training, soft skills development, and comprehensive wrap-
around support. The program also piloted a workplace future workforce and fostering inclusivity, the foundation
inclusivity model to foster a more welcoming environment for collaborates with partners to support the demand for skilled
women in trades, working closely with employers to improve professionals, contributing to North America's economic
access to employment and long-term retention. prosperity.

30 Winter 2025 www.cambridgechamber.com