A new training course for male supervisors in the trades in Manitoba, called Shift Change, celebrated the completion of its first intake on Friday. The program focuses on gender inclusiveness and was originally developed in Halifax. Thanks to a partnership between the Manitoba Construction Sector Council and YMCA-YWCA Winnipeg, the program was brought to Manitoba for the first time. Bonnie Douglas, project manager with the Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science Trades and Technology, stated that the Shift Change program is designed to lead culture change in male-dominated industries, making them safer and more inclusive for everyone. This is the first expansion site for the program in Canada.
Twelve individuals from various sectors in the trades graduated from the six-week, 30-hour program. Christian Fais, a supervisor with Bird Construction and one of the graduates, shared that he was always aware that women were treated differently on the job, but he did not fully understand the extent of the issues until he took the course. Fais expressed that hearing about the challenges women face at work was disturbing. However, he also expressed hope for more change as two course graduates are set to become facilitators of the program. Jaime Chinchilla, a participant and future program facilitator with Johnston Group Inc., shared that the Shift Change training is unique as it covers both small issues women face in the workplace in the trades sector, as well as larger, more complex issues seen across society. The goal is to have more allies for women in the trades as more participants progress through the program.
This initiative marks the first time the Shift Change program has been offered outside of Nova Scotia. Developed by YWCA Halifax, the Gender Inclusive Leadership Course is aimed at facilitating and leading culture change in male-dominated industries. The program’s expansion to Manitoba was made possible through partnerships with the Manitoba Construction Sector Council and YMCA-YWCA Winnipeg. The hope is that by implementing such programs, male supervisors in the trades will gain a better understanding of the challenges women face in the workplace and work towards creating a safer and more inclusive environment for all employees.
The Shift Change program provides a platform for male supervisors in the trades to address issues of gender inclusiveness and work towards creating a more inclusive workplace. By bringing awareness to the challenges that women face in male-dominated industries, the program aims to foster a culture of respect and support for all employees. The program’s graduates, who come from various sectors in the trades, have shared their experiences of increased awareness and understanding of the issues faced by women on the job. The hope is that with more participants progressing through the program and becoming allies for women in the trades, lasting change and improvement in workplace inclusivity can be achieved.
The completion of the first intake of the Shift Change program in Manitoba marks a significant milestone in the efforts towards gender inclusivity in the trades. With twelve individuals graduating from the program and two set to become facilitators, the impact of the program is already being felt. Participants, such as Christian Fais and Jaime Chinchilla, have shared their experiences of learning about the challenges faced by women in the workplace and the importance of becoming allies for gender inclusivity. As the program continues to expand and reach more participants, the hope is that more male supervisors in the trades will gain a better understanding of the issues at hand and work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all employees.
