Women Building Futures

Inspiring Leadership Alert! Our President and CEO, Carol Moen, P. Eng., has been featured in the latest issue of Business in Edmonton magazine.   The article, “The Sky is the Limit!”, highlights her dedication to empowering women and gender-diverse individuals through programs that provide skills and support to enter trades, trucking and related fields.  Under her leadership, Women Building Futures has transformed hundreds of lives.  The article does a great job of explaining WBF’s model, and why it is successful.  🔗Take a read to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gEpwApq8 Thank you, Business in Edmonton Magazine, for your support of WBF’s mission of economic security for women! 

Women Building Futures’ very own Chris Nash will be a panelist and moderator at the inaugural Bridging the Barriers Western Conference, taking place on May 27th, in Calgary, Alberta! With nearly 40 years of experience in the transportation industry, Chris has worked in operations, management, ownership, and advocacy. Much of his knowledge comes from hands-on experience—learning lessons the hard way and using them to make the industry better. His dedication was recognized in 2022 with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. At the conference, Chris will be moderating the Female Leaders Panel, bringing together diverse voices to discuss leadership, challenges and opportunities in the industry. 📅 Event Details: 🗓 Date: May 27, 2025 📍 Location: Calgary, Alberta 🎤 Event details: Women's Trucking Federation of Canada 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g5BcpuuF

Women Building Futures is partnering with Civida, Edmonton’s largest provider of social housing. With Civida taking over property management of our training center and 42 affordable housing units, we can stay laser-focused on our mission: fostering economic security for women facing barriers to entry in predominately male industries. ⁠ ⁠ Our CEO, Carol Moen, says: "By leveraging our unique strengths, WBF and Civida are creating a powerful synergy that will transform lives and strengthen our community." ⁠ ⁠ Civida's CEO, Gord Johnston, adds: "This collaboration reflects our deep commitment to working alongside fellow non-profits to create safe, affordable housing solutions that strengthen our communities. By combining Civida’s expertise in property management with Women Building Futures’ life-changing programs, we are together, creating pathways for women to build brighter, more empowered futures." ⁠ ⁠ Interested in applying to live in the Women Building Futures property? Apply directly to Civida by clicking the link below and completing the application. You will be able to select, not only Women Building Futures Housing, but other Civida properties as well. ⁠ ⁠ 🔗 Apply Now ⁠ Together, we are building a brighter future!✨ ⁠ ⁠

Search begins for new CEO of Women Building Futures: In December we shared the bittersweet news that our CEO, Carol Moen, P. Eng., plans to retire this spring. Today we are excited to share that our Board of Directors is officially launching the search for the next leader of Women Building Futures (WBF). The new CEO will have big shoes to fill. They will need to be a brilliant strategist, with exceptional leadership skills and the ability to successfully navigate relationships in the not-for-profit, government and private sectors. They will be the public face of a respected organization that has spent the last quarter century empowering women and gender-diverse individuals to pursue rewarding careers in the skilled trades and transportation sectors.  This visionary will build on the incredible work Carol has led, helping WBF grow, strengthen partnerships, and create even more opportunities for the people we serve. Reflecting on five years at the helm, Carol said, “I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to lead such a remarkable organization. The support from our partners and the dedication of our team have been truly inspiring. I am confident that WBF will continue to thrive under new leadership, and I look forward to seeing the amazing work that lies ahead.” We know many of you are invested in WBF’s future, and we will continue sharing key updates as we move through this process. Thank you for being part of our journey—exciting things are ahead!    Job posting and how to apply can be found here:   https://lnkd.in/gVQ9ky9e

💜International Women’s Day 2025: Accelerate Action for Gender Equality The workforce is changing—and that’s great news for women. However, at the current rate of progress, full gender parity (the state or condition of being equal, especially regarding status or pay) won’t be achieved until the year 2158—five generations from now. Change is happening, and we’re seeing momentum grow in industries that have historically lacked diversity. 🍁 Women Building Futures has been a part of the change in Canada for over a quarter century, helping women enter the skilled trades and commercial transportation. WBF is proud to be part of this shift: ✅ 284 women graduated from our pre-apprenticeship programs last year. ✅ Their average starting wage was $26.23 per hour, or 1.2 times the average living wage A more diverse workforce means: more perspectives, better ideas and better places to work. Progress doesn’t happen on its own—it takes action. This International Women’s Day, let’s ask ourselves: 💡What can we do to create real opportunities for women to succeed? Whether it’s hiring more diverse talent, sharing opportunities, or encouraging someone to explore a new path, every step moves us closer to equality. 💜What action will you take?

What better time than 💜International Women’s Day to share news of our three-year partnership with Pembina Pipeline Corporation? Pembina’s generous commitment of $1.55 million over three years will go a long way in helping WBF open doors for women and gender-diverse individuals who want to improve their lives through a career in the skilled trades.  The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “Accelerate Action,” and that is exactly what this partnership will do. One of the primary calls to action this year is to help “forge women’s economic empowerment,” and Pembina’s support of WBF is a perfect example of this.  This funding will support women through a variety of WBF’s initiatives and programs. It will help us reach more First Nations, support training for power engineering and implement trades exploration programs. As our CEO, Carol Moen, told Postmedia, “Partners like Pembina are what enables WBF’s mission. They understand what we do, they are involved in creating the programming with us, they are committed to our mission — solving the economic insecurity of women. We are proud to celebrate this phenomenal industry organization that walks the talk of investing in their communities.” Thank you, Pembina, for being such a supportive partner. Together, we are equipping women with the skills and connections they need to succeed, and we are helping increase the talent pool for employers to hire the best workers.

Join us for the Work Proud Inclusivity Training Workshop in Kingston, Ontario – Now FREE for Industry Professionals!  Enjoy lunch and light refreshments while gaining valuable tools to foster safer, more engaged and inclusive workplaces.    📅 Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025  ⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM  📍 Location: St. Lawrence College, Kingston, ON    Who Should Attend?  ✔ Executive management  ✔ Frontline supervisors  ✔ Aspiring people leaders  ✔ Anyone working alongside diverse teams in skilled trades and manufacturing    Workshop Highlights:  🔹 Strategies for attracting and retaining top talent  🔹 Unconscious bias awareness  🔹 Building positive and inclusive workplace cultures  🔹 Change management tips    For more details, contact us at eoc@womenbuildingfutures.com 📢 Spots are limited! Register now: https://lnkd.in/gX_4pEM7  

Building Opportunity, Women Building Futures, 2023-24 Annual Report shows a year of incredible growth, with a record number of women and gender-diverse individuals graduating from our skilled trades training programs and commercial transportation programs. In all, 284 graduates acquired skills to change their lives by starting down the path to rewarding careers in high-demand sectors of the economy. This strong result could not have been achieved without the dedication within Women Building Futures, as well as the generous support and encouragement of our partners in government, industry and the non-profit sector.    WBF is committed to working with all of our partners to develop exceptional, well-trained tradeswomen who work hard to change their lives, their families lives and their local economies for the better.     🔗 Access our Building Opportunity WBF 2023-24 Annual Report here: https://lnkd.in/gr4bcExz

As we reflect on February, we honor the incredible achievements and contributions of Black women in the skilled trades. Meet Viera and Judine, two of our inspiring alumni who are breaking barriers and building futures in fields like carpentry, welding, and electrical work. Their dedication, resilience, and passion are a testament to the power of diversity and inclusion in the trades! Join us in celebrating their stories and the countless others who continue to shape our world through their dedication and perseverance. 🤎Together, we build a brighter future for all.

IT’S BACK—APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! Women Building Futures is offering a FREE 5-week Introduction to Steamfitter-Pipefitter and Electrician program in Edmonton. 📍Upon completion, employment opportunities may be available in Edmonton, Blackfalds and surrounding areas, based on future projects. ✅After graduating, successful candidates will be hired and registered as either a 1st-year steamfitter-pipefitter apprentice or 1st-year electrician apprentice! 🤝This program is in partnership with Worley, a leading Canadian industrial construction company. APPLY NOW (WomenBuildingFutures.ca) P.S. Save your spot at the Introduction to Steamfitter-Pipefitter and Electrician information session where you can: ✅ Learn about the FREE program and financial supports that are available at Women Building Futures! ✅ Ask your questions! 📅 Virtual Information Session: March 4, 2025 12 p.m. - 1p.m. 📅 Virtual Information Session: March 26, 2025 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Save your spot at an upcoming information session (WomenBuildingFutures.ca)!