Thursday, March 26, 2026

Thinking About a Career in Construction? Start with CLAC’s Supporting Women in Construction!

CLAC’s Supporting Women in Construction (SWIC) program is designed to support women working in the construction trades, and welcoming those who are just getting started

By Kari-Anne March, Manager, Projects, Programs & Apprenticeship - West

More women across Canada are building careers in construction and strong mentorship is helping them go further.

CLAC’s Supporting Women in Construction (SWIC) program is designed to support women working in the construction trades, and welcoming those who are just getting started. At its core, SWIC is about connection: making sure women have access to experienced mentors, practical guidance, and a community that understands the realities of the industry.

Whether you’re navigating your apprenticeship, growing your career, or looking to support others coming up behind you, SWIC creates space for women to learn from each other and move forward with confidence.

What is SWIC?

SWIC connects women with practical, one-on-one career support in the construction industry across Canada.

This support includes mentorship, resume guidance, training connections, apprenticeship support and access to the support and advocacy that comes with CLAC representation. It’s about helping women not just enter the trade, but stay, grow, and succeed in them.

A Growing Community of Support

Over the past year, more than 500 women from across Canada have connected with SWIC to learn more about building a future in the trades.

Through outreach, events, and partnerships, SWIC has built a growing network of women supporting women, sharing knowledge, opening doors, and helping each other navigate careers in construction. In 2025, that momentum showed up in real ways:

Increased participation in training and Skills for Success assessments
More women taking first steps toward apprenticeships and employment
Strong turnout at events like the “Build a Career in the Trades” session in Edmonton

Meet Our Mentors

A big part of SWIC is learning from women who are already working in the industry and are ready to share what they’ve learned.

Jessie Cook (SWIC Mentor)

Cook is a heavy equipment operator and long-time advocate for women in construction. She has worked on major job sites across Canada, including projects in Northern Ontario, Northern BC (Site C), the Calgary Ring Road, and Fort McMurray. Jessie is known for her honest, practical insight into jobsite life and her passion for encouraging women to explore construction careers with confidence.

Instagram: @clac_jessie

Desiray Foster-Kemps (SWIC Mentor)

Desiray Foster-Kemps is a fourth-year carpenter apprentice, proud CLAC member, and one of SWIC’s newest mentors. Desiray shares real-life experience from her apprenticeship journey and is passionate about helping women of all ages feel supported as they explore construction careers. Through mentorship, storytelling, and peer encouragement, she helps make the trades feel more accessible and achievable.

Instagram: @desiray_clac

We’re Looking for an Ontario Mentor!

Know a female apprentice or journeyperson who would be a great mentor? We’d love to hear from you. Connect with us at swic@clac.ca

Where to Find Us

SWIC mentors will be active in communities and online throughout the year, including:

Jill of All Trades – Okanagan College – April 28
Skills Alberta “Girls Exploring Trades & Technologies” – May 6–7
Virtual presentations in Northern Ontario and Sudbury
Ongoing sessions with Women Building Futures in Edmonton

Ready to Learn More?

You don’t need to have a plan, you just need a place to begin—and we are here to help! Visit clac.ca/swic to connect.