Shift Change is about growing a diverse and equitable trades industry in Nova Scotia.
One where women and gender diverse people can safely grow careers in skilled trades. And where we all work to update unhealthy workplace cultures so that everyone can thrive on the job and in the industry.
The reality today is that women and gender diverse people experience increased rates violence, harassment, and unsafe working environments in the skilled trades industry across Canada. A change must happen if the industry is to grow and sustain itself.
Shift Change is one way YWCA is participating in this change.
Challenge
A report needed to be released highlighting key findings from the YWCA Halifax’s research into sexual and gender-based harassment in the skilled trades.
Between July 2023 and October 2023, the Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment (SGBH) in Skilled Trades project conducted a survey and follow-up interviews to learn about the prevalence of workplace sexual and gender-based harassment in the skilled trades sector in Nova Scotia, it’s impact on women and gender diverse people, and the underlying organizational cultures contributing to this issue.
Based on the YWCA Halifax’s work through our Shift Change and SGBH in Skilled Trades projects, women and gender diverse people are not staying in the skilled trades, due to a high prevalence of sexual and gender-based harassment in the sector and harmful workplace cultures that adhere to rigid gender norms.
