The ITA Women in Trades Training Initiative Reaches Milestone of 1,500 Women in Training Programs on International Women's Day

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 1, 2012) - More women are discovering that a career in the skilled trades offers increased job satisfaction, independence, and higher pay. On International Women's Day, the Women in Trades Training (WITT) initiative, funded through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement (LMA) and overseen by the Industry Training Authority (ITA), will mark the milestone of 1,500 women participating in trades training programs across British Columbia.

These trailblazing women are embracing non-traditional careers, training to be plumbers, electricians, carpenters and sheet metal workers. This news couldn't come at a better time as B.C. is on the cusp of an economic boom and facing a skilled labour shortage of 160,000 workers by 2015.

On March 8^th, speak with Jessi Zielke, from the ITA Women in Trades Training initiative, and plumber apprentice Cathy Minty to find out why more women are entering the skilled trades and how this trend will help B.C. meet growing labour demands.

Interview Opportunities:

• Cathy Minty was a single mom of five who had never considered a career in the trades. Then Cathy discovered the ITA Women in Trades Training initiative and received the support she needed to embark on a rewarding plumbing career. Talk to Cathy to find out how skilled trades training changed her life and the benefits of being a woman plumber apprentice

• Learn what the ITA Women in Trades Training initiative is, how it is helping employers meet B.C.'s labour demands and why more women are pursuing careers in the skilled trades

When: March 8^th, 2012

Video: Cathy Minty with her employer and at work on a jobsite (available upon request)

Also available for comment:

• Stacey Kent, Project Manager and Cathy's direct supervisor at Black & McDonald, a multi-trade contracting company, on why it makes good business sense to hire a woman apprentice
• Nancy Darling, Administrator, Trades and Apprenticeship at Okanagan College, on the benefits of skilled trades training programs in B.C.