b'WOMEN AT WORKMCACs WiMC Committee works to retain and develop female workersSARAH B. HOODA lthough women make up half theSome challenges are purely practical; forout that the federal government has been Canadian workforce, they only rep- instance, says Johnston, One of our mainworking for several years to encourage resent about five per cent of on-siteareas in the space now is womens PPE.underrepresented groups to join the workers in this countrys constructionA 2022 report from the CSA Groupskilled trades.industry. Since 2018, MCACs Womentitled Canadian Womens ExperiencesSupported by the Canadian Construction in Mechanical Contracting (WiMC)with Personal Protective Equipment inAssociation (CCA), Canadas Building Committee, which is currently chaired bythe Workplace found that 58 per cent ofTrades Unions (CBTU), the Canadian Judy-Lynn Mason of ServcoCanada, haswomen in construction are using PPEAssociation of Women in Construction been working to bring more women intothat is the wrong size at least some of the the field. time, 38 per cent resort to workarounds(CAWIC), the Canadian Roofing to make their PPE fit, and 28 per cent goContractors Association (CRCA) and the MCAC is proud to support thewithout some of their PPE because it justOntario General Contractors Association initiatives of the WiMC Committee,doesnt fit them. (OGCA), WiMC encouraged the says CEO Tania Johnston. Each year thegovernment to implement programs that program grows its platform and programs,In addition, like many other types ofwould offset the additional costs incurred providing increased support not only inapparel, womens PPE can be priced asfor the purchase of female-specific PPE. attracting women to the industry but inmuch as twice the cost of similar apparel retaining them and helping them growdesigned for men, which can pose aWiMC members lobbied three members their careers in a positive direction. significant financial burden to femaleof Parliament during MCACs Day on With MCACs mandate to support peopleworkers, especially those who are justthe Hill; they are also considering the who are already in the industry, the groupbeginning their careers. idea of a womens PPE hour that would has a strong focus on leadership andThe WiMC Committee has beenlet the decision makers try on the items mentoring initiatives designed to keepaddressing this challenge on numerousfor themselves so they can understand women in the industry, partly by simplyfronts. It works directly withfirsthand the safety, efficiency and comfort giving them someone to talk to. manufacturers and retailers of womensof PPE that fits.work wear, ranging from major chainsPerhaps the committees most ambitious Members are connected by a quarterlylike Marks to smaller entrepreneurialnew initiative is the MCAC Virtual newsletter and podcasts. A mentorshipbusinesses like Eve, CovergallsLeadership Development Program program is held annually in partnershipIncorporated, Dirty Seahorse and Helga(vLDP), which ran for the first time with the Womens Executive NetworkWear, to ensure that womens PPE is easythis year as a four-module program over (WXN). This years recipient is Selenneto locate and purchase. They have alsofour months. It addressed topics like the Verastegui, project manager with E.S. Foxnegotiated discounts for members. skills and knowledge required to succeed Ltd., who is based in Niagara Falls, Ont. On the political front, last November, thein a leadership role, self-awareness, A Women in Mechanical Contractingcommittee sent a formal request to thecommunication style and leadership Scholarship for female apprenticesfederal government for support to womenstrategy. It was so popular that the initial specializing in mechanical contractingwho purchase properly fitted PPE. A letteroffering was doubled to accommodate two was created in 2021. It provides $1,000to Minister of Labour Seamus ORegan Jr.groups of about 40 participants; a second in support of a woman who is seeking toand Deputy Prime Minister and Ministeredition, with fresh course material, will be enter the industry. of Finance Chrystia Freeland pointedoffered in the fall.16 www.mcac.ca'