Canadian Women in Construction: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunity
Are you interested in working in construction or skilled trades? Contact training@emberscanada.org for opportunities to get started!
As Women in Construction Week and International Women’s Day remind us, the construction industry is evolving. More women are entering the sector each year, bringing valuable skills, perspectives, and leadership to job sites across Canada. At the same time, the data shows there is still significant progress to be made.
Across the country, women remain underrepresented in construction trades roles. According to industry research, women account for about 5% of on-site construction trades jobs in Canada (Buildforce, 2024). While participation has increased over time, the number highlights how much opportunity remains to create more inclusive pathways into the trades.
Regional data tells a similar story. In British Columbia, 9,536 women currently work in construction trades, representing about 5.7% of the workforce (BCCA, 2024 Spring Stat Pack). These women are contributing essential skills across job sites, projects, and companies throughout the province while helping expand what representation in construction looks like.
The gap becomes even clearer when compared to the broader labour market. In Canada, women represent approximately 47.5% of the total labour force, yet only 8.6% of skilled trades workers (Statistics Canada, 2022). This contrast underscores the importance of training programs, mentorship, and employment pathways that help more women explore and succeed in trades careers.
Beyond representation, women in construction also face practical challenges on job sites. One issue frequently raised across the industry is personal protective equipment (PPE). Research shows that 50% of women surveyed report that their PPE does not fit properly (CSA Group, 2022), which can impact both comfort and safety.
Ill-fitting equipment can also affect productivity. In the same survey, 85% of women reported that their work had been impeded by PPE that was not designed with them in mind (CSA Group, 2022). As more women enter the trades, improving equipment design and availability will be an important part of creating safer and more equitable workplaces.
Despite these challenges, the growing presence of women in construction represents an important shift for the industry. Increasing representation not only supports workforce diversity but also helps address labour shortages and strengthens teams across the sector.
At EMBERS Staffing Solutions, we are proud to support workers as they build meaningful careers in construction. Throughout Women in Construction Week, we have been sharing stories of women in our community who are gaining experience, developing new skills, and contributing to job sites across the region.