YWCA encourages careers for women in the trades

Sheba Forbes was taking part in career development counselling when she came across a flyer from the YWCA Toronto.

"I was participating with a counselling service in Mississauga… and one of the social workers, she sends out flyers," Forbes explains. "The YWCA flyer for the free program of air conditioning mechanic and introduction to gas technician came to me. I was a little interested so I called the YWCA."

With her interest peaked, Forbes soon realized this opportunity could lead to a career.

"It seemed like a really great opportunity to take women out of low entry level positions and give them opportunities to possibly start their own business, or earn higher incomes," she says.

"Basically, the school was offering level one certification air conditioning mechanic, so the course would prepare you to take the certification test, even though it’s recommended that you work first. They (the YWCA) supported us financially, everything from boots to TTC tokens."

Maisie Raymond-Brown, manager of JUMP Etobicoke and pre-apprenticeship programs with YWCA Toronto, states there have been pre-apprenticeship programs offered to women since 2010.

Currently, the YWCA Toronto offers programs in Residential Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic and Introduction to Gas Technician; Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic and Introduction to Electrician; and Electrician: Construction and Maintenance and Introduction to Refrigeration.

"Women are so underrepresented in the trades," she says. "We provide the training in conjunction with Centennial College or George Brown College. They (participants) normally do 13 weeks of training at the college level. Statistics have shown that the HVAC seal… there’s more opportunities for jobs and that is why we branched out in that area."

With funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the Ontario Women’s Directorate, YWCA Toronto is able to provide the tools and skills needed to succeed in the various programs.

"These programs are really for women who are unemployed or underemployed. The women are not out of pocket for anything," Raymond-Brown explains.

"Whatever we’re able to do to support them, we do that."

Depending on funding and where the women are academically, the programs also provide anywhere from three to 10 weeks of academic upgrading before trade training begins.

A minimum of Grade 12 education is required. This is where Forbes started, as she took two weeks of academic upgrading to improve her math skills.

"That was amazing. That built so much confidence," she explains, adding there were about 20 women in her class and teamwork was a big component to the program.

"The whole way through there was so much support."

Forbes finished the program in August and shortly after says she was placed at Elite Appliance Service where she currently works, gaining experience and hours before she starts an apprenticeship.

"I showed up at a house and a woman yelled ‘woman power!’ So, I’m also apparently inspiring women. They’re very happy to see me," she says with a laugh.

"We work with employers to place them (from eight to 12 weeks) so that they can get their 280 hours of training that would give them that edge towards getting an apprenticeship," Raymond-Brown explains.

"We have had some excellent feedback from clients. I have a woman right now, who has a permanent job and she is earning quite good money. When you get that kind of feedback you know that you are doing something right for these women."

Raymond-Brown says they are preparing for 2015, where about 60 women are needed for the three trade programs (20 for each trade).

Forbes says those thinking about getting into a trade should go for it.

"I would testify to my experience being such a positive one, not only for work and salary but for confidence, for a sense of belonging, for a sense of community, for a challenging workplace, for a workplace where the pace is changing all the time. Those are the things I was looking for," she says.

"I think anything is possible. Anyone can do anything."