Groundbreaking $5.56M Donation Fuels New YWCA Program Supporting Women in Trades
A groundbreaking $5.56 million donation—the largest in YWCA Metro Vancouver’s history—from the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation in conjunction with Seaspan Shipyards is making it possible to launch YWCA Higher Ground, a new trades discovery program designed to support hundreds of women in exploring and building careers in the skilled trades.
“The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation could not be more pleased and honoured to help fund this critically important avenue supporting women in trades,” said Jon Bennion, Executive Director, the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation. “The work of Higher Ground will ensure more women have an opportunity to explore robust, stable careers while being supported and uplifted economically and socially.”
Women are underrepresented in the trades
Women make up nearly half of Canada’s workforce, yet only 15% of Red Seal workers are women, according to a 2021 report from the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum. The BC Construction Association notes that women make up just 5.3% of the construction trades workforce. With 700,000 tradespeople expected to retire by 2028, there is an urgent need to welcome more women into the sector. Gender stereotypes, stigma, safety concerns and limited awareness of opportunities remain key barriers.
“For women entering the skilled trades, gender stereotypes can lead to stigma, inadequate safety and a lack of opportunities,” said Tina Hurd, YWCA Higher Ground Program Manager. “By providing wraparound support, Higher Ground will empower women to confidently break these barriers, achieve economic independence and build sustainable careers.”
Inspiring the next generation
The donation and launch of Higher Ground were celebrated at a recent YWCA Impact Series event, featuring a panel discussion with women in the trades. Panelists—including YWCA graduates and industry leaders—shared their experiences, stories of perseverance and how mentors and allies supported their success.
Lisa Scott, from the Catalyst Apprenticeship Promotion Program and Red Seal electrician with the Construction Foundation of BC, remembers being the only woman at a job site, but found allies and supporters, often men, who knew she did great work and wanted to see her succeed.
Kathleen Scott, a SkilledTradesBC apprenticeship advisor and Red Seal electrician reflected on being in a mentorship role and the importance of representation, to inspire the next generation of young women to see themselves in these roles, wearing overalls and hard hats, high up on a ladder.
Diem Ngyuen, past YWCA Level Up participant and heavy equipment operator spoke about the importance of perseverance and overcoming the sexist perceptions that women face on the job, particularly when they are first starting out.
Lauren Pedersen, past YWCA Level Up participant and Red Seal floor tile installer said she enjoys learning new skills and getting stronger each day.
The panel also highlighted how the trades have evolved to accommodate women—from safety gear designed by women, for women, to recognition of women’s strengths in precision, detail and problem-solving. For example, women welders have gained a reputation for their excellent work because they are able to fit into smaller spaces, generally have better fine motor control and attention to detail.
"Building the next generation of tradespeople is crucial to the success of Canada's growing shipbuilding industry on the West Coast, and to many other integral industries across the country," said John McCarthy, CEO, Seaspan Shipyards. "Seaspan is pleased to be supporting the YWCA Higher Ground program and helping to provide a safe, encouraging platform for women to join the trades and build a purposeful, successful career path."
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A unique and holistic approach
YWCA Higher Ground is a free trades discovery program open to self-identified women and is expected to serve 300 participants over five years. The program provides hands-on experience in various trades, includes industry site visits, facilitates employer connections, provides ongoing one-to-one career coaching and workshops focused on building confidence and skills. Women participating in the program will also receive wraparound supports, including child care, transportation, education assistance and accessibility accommodations.
“Supporting women in the skilled trades isn’t just about creating a more equitable future, it's about unlocking the full potential of our workforce,” said YWCA Metro Vancouver CEO Erin Seeley. “When we invest in women’s access to training, mentorship and leadership opportunities in these fields, we strengthen industries, drive innovation and build more inclusive communities. We are grateful for the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation and Seaspan, who share this vision.”
YWCA Higher Ground is a pre-foundations program providing access and exposure to a wide range of career paths in the skilled trades. The program offers clear pathways to apprenticeships via accredited courses and certifications from British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
“BCIT is honoured to be the delivery partner for the trades training in the visionary YWCA Higher Ground program,” said Justin Williams, BCIT Associate Vice President, Academic. “This initiative represents the very best of what can happen when organizations come together with a shared purpose. By combining YWCA Vancouver’s vision with BCIT’s strength in applied learning and support from the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation and Seaspan Shipyards, we are creating opportunities that will ripple far beyond the classroom — strengthening families, communities, and industries for generations to come.”
As Western Canada’s largest provider of trades education, BCIT brings over 60 years of expertise and strong industry connections to ensure learners gain the skills, confidence, and adaptability to succeed in high-demand careers. Across five campuses in the Lower Mainland, learners will have access to state-of-the-art classrooms and shops, hands-on applied learning, and expert instruction from faculty who are leaders in their fields.
BCIT is a national leader in trades programming for women, having developed supports and partnerships to ensure that women, and all equity-deserving groups, have access to safe, welcoming, and high-quality learning environments.
For more information about YWCA Higher Ground or to register, visit ywcavan.org/higher-ground.
