Women have arrived: CAWIC

The Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) is intent on working closely with industry, government and other associations to encourage females to consider careers in construction and eliminate existing and potential barriers.

TORONTO

President Angela Wilson, a sales and marketing representative at Dufferin Construction Co., told CAWIC’s official launch the construction industry presents opportunities for women in a variety of trade, technical and professional fields.

“Economic growth is fed by construction,” she said. “But we are having trouble keeping up with the demand for skilled and professional people. We think CAWIC can be part of the solution.”

The association’s mandate is to facilitate the long-term success of women in the industry by identifying career and business opportunities, fostering the exchange of information, organizing networking events, developing outreach programs and holding career days.

CINDY WOODS

In attendance for the official launch of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction were several industry representatives as well as Energy Minister Donna Cansfield (right), seen here with Haliburton-Victoria-Brock MPP Laurie Scott.

The Canadian construction industry employs more than one million people and is responsible for about $123 billion in economic activity annually. It accounts for 12 per cent of Canada’s total gross domestic product.

CAWIC is a successor to the Toronto chapter of the U.S.-headquartered National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).

“We decided we needed our own identity and we needed to concentrate on issues that affect women in the construction industry here in our own country, Canada,” Wilson said.

CAWIC was officially incorporated last October. It has signed an international affiliation agreement with NAWIC, which will allow it to share information, exchange ideas and discuss issues from an international perspective.

Clive Thurston, president of the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA), who attended last week’s launch, said OGCA views the association’s formation as “a positive step forward.

“We believe there is an untapped resource (women) for our industry that has been ignored for far too long,” Thurston said in an interview with Daily Commercial News.

“We wish CAWIC success and look forward to working with them in the future.”

The launch was attended by about 260 people, including Energy Minister Donna Cansfield and Health Minister George Smitherman.