WITT hits major milestone
Okanagan Edge Staff - Jun 18, 2019 - Biz Releases

Photo: Contributed

Okanagan College has reached a major milestone when it comes to its Women in Trades Training program.

The institution on Monday celebrated the WITT program’s reaching 1,000 students on the Kelowna campus.

“Our government is committed to cultivating winning conditions to support women in the trades,” B.C. Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training Melanie Mark said in a press release. “We need to move the dial for women in all areas of the trades. Okanagan College’s Women in Trades Training program is creating a pathway to boost the number of certified trades people to help meet the growing labour-market demand.

“There are thousands of opportunities for people in the trades, and we need everyone in order to build the best B.C.”

WITT, which is funded by the Industry Training Authority, has trained approximately 100 women each year in exploratory trades programs as well as foundation pre-apprenticeships. The exploratory 12-week session allows women to experience five or six trades in order to determine their best path. WITT also sponsors women who move on to foundation programs; they supported 36 women in the past year alone.

“The women in trades program was designed to increase the number of female apprentices in the province of B.C.,” says WITT Program Administrator Nancy Darling. “It provides support to women to address some of the barriers for them entering careers in the skilled trades.”


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