WOMEN IN SKILLED TRADES (WiST) - British Columbia Roadshow 2025 (Vancouver)

The Women in Skilled Trades (WiST) Project by is a national initiative aimed at empowering newcomer women by providing them with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to enter the skilled trades industry. Funded in part by the Government of Canada's Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, the Women in Skilled Trades - British Columbia Roadshow 2025 (Vancouver) is organized in partnership with and will feature leadership training, networking opportunities, industry insights, and mental health support to help women navigate and thrive in skilled trades careers.

📍 Date: September 24, 2025

⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM PDT

📌 Location: ISSofBC Welcome Centre, #201, 2610 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BC

(Topics may vary based on speaker availability & feasibility)

✅ Keynote Address: Step into the story of a leader in skilled trades - hear the moments that shaped their career, the barriers they overcame, and how inclusive workplaces are opening new doors for everyone in the industry.

✅ Panel Discussions & Presentations: Get a behind-the-scenes look at careers beyond construction, from hands-on trades to innovative emerging roles. Learn what it really takes to break into the sector and thrive.

✅ Industry Connections: Meet employers, training programs, and organizations ready to share guidance, insider tips, and opportunities to shape your next steps.

✅ Networking Opportunities: Connect with mentors, peers, and industry professionals in an interactive setting where ideas, stories, and opportunities flow freely, so you leave inspired and connected.

🔵 Land Acknowledgement
Tsleil-Waututh Elder Margaret George – Respected Elder from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (səlilwətaɬ), honored with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from SFU for her contributions to education and community service.

🎤 Keynote Speaker
Anna Lary – Project Lead, ConnectHER Hub at BCIT. With 15+ years in the electrical trades and 12 years in teaching, Anna is a Red Seal and BC Master Electrician with a Master of Education. She is committed to equity and removing barriers for women and equity-priority groups in the skilled trades.

👩‍🔧 Panelists

• Saoirse Gibney – Owner & Carpenter, Elizabeth Carpentry.
• Carly Steiman – Red Seal electrician, founder of Lady Electric, and the only Canadian woman to compete on CBS’s Tough as Nails. Launching the Tradeswomen Exhibit this fall.
• Ghazaleh Nozamani – Former software engineer turned Red Seal tradeswoman, project manager, and activist. Founder of Love Without Borders, advocating for justice, resilience, and equity.
• Ariel Lai – Mentor Hair.
• Alyssa Deville, RSE – Red Seal sheet metal worker, Skills BC gold medalist, educator, and advocate for women in trades.
• Poi Yuk Garcia, RSE – Red Seal Lather (Interior System Mechanic), dedicated to building inclusive trades environments.
• Mahara Gibson-Zeinoun – Founder of Princess Plumbing, committed to breaking barriers and empowering women in plumbing.

📋 Catering
Holy Taco – Authentic Mexican flavors by co-founder Ileana Lopez, a former heavy machine operator turned entrepreneur, celebrating cultural heritage through food.

🏢 Employers & Service Providers
A Few Good Lads • BCCA (Building Builders, STEP Program) • BCIT • Dress for Success • JPD Contracting • PICS • VRCA • WorkSafe BC • YWCA Vancouver (Higher Ground Program)

• Women interested in skilled trades careers
• Newcomer and racialized women exploring trades opportunities
• Current apprentices (0-5 years' experience)
• Industry employers and training providers
• Community organizations supporting women in trades

🔹 Connect with industry leaders and potential employers

🔹 Access specialized leadership training and career guidance

🔹 Learn about mental health supports and resources for women in trades

🔹 Discover mentorship opportunities and pathways to career success

🔹 Gain insights into career opportunities in the skilled trades sector

✅ Free registration for all attendees

✅ Limited space – early registration recommended

✅ Last-minute registrations accommodated based on availability

✅ Please indicate whether you are registering as a Participant or an Exhibitor. This will help us better organize the event.

🔹 – For more than four decades, Skills for Change has been a trusted partner in supporting newcomers, immigrants, and diverse communities across Ontario. The organization is recognized for its innovative programs in employment services, career mentoring, language and settlement support, and sector-specific training that help people unlock their potential and thrive in Canada. With a strong commitment to equity and inclusion, Skills for Change continues to build opportunities that strengthen individuals, families, and communities.

🔹- Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia (ISSofBC) has been welcoming and supporting newcomers in British Columbia for over 50 years. With programs that help individuals settle, learn English, study, and find meaningful work, ISSofBC serves more than 26,000 clients annually. Guided by the vision “We All Thrive Together in Community,” ISSofBC is a values-driven organization committed to belonging, purpose, and social impact.

📧 For more information about the WIST British Columbia Roadshow 2025 (Vancouver):

📩 Email Liz Vermunt at [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming you and supporting the next generation of women in skilled trades.

Host or Publisher Skills for Change