Women in Trades (WIT)
Program Overview
The Women in Trades (WIT) program is specifically designed to assist women who want to develop the basic skills necessary for entry-level work in construction. The main focus of the program is hands-on skill development. Courses include construction academics, site safety, use of hand tools and construction basics. Participants also have an opportunity to develop an understanding of the work involved in trades such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, framing, drywall application and roofing.
Courses
(click item to view course description)A refresher course dealing with basic construction mathematics, such as fractions, decimals, the metric system and basic geometry. Skill development in written communications (cover letters, resumes) and oral communications (effective listening and questioning) is also included.
Contact Hours: 30
This course examines the various activities occurring on a typical construction site. Students are introduced to construction site maintenance, excavations, building foundations, concrete fundamentals, framing and types of building materials (framing, roofing, exterior, interior, etc). Students also have an opportunity to develop an understanding of the work involved in several trades.
Students gain hands-on experience by constructing one or more small buildings. The building is finished inside and out, so students are exposed to the main construction trades, such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, framing, drywall application, flooring and roofing.
Contact Hours: 120
This course on safety at the construction site includes standard first aid and CPR, CSTS safety certification and other safety modules. Some modules are required for general construction work, others are specialty modules that certify graduating students for specialized tasks on the job site.
Contact Hours: 30
This introduction to the job of a construction worker includes an examination of types of trades and their activities, roles and responsibilities of a construction worker, basic terminology and trades as professions. Students develop an understanding of effective time management, assertiveness, self-respect and working in a cross-cultural environment. The course includes life skills and employability skill development.
Contact Hours: 30
Participants learn the safe use and proper maintenance of common hand and power tools. The course also develops project work skills in key areas: planning a project, creating and interpreting simple drawings, measuring and layout.
Contact Hours: 90
