Women Building Futures

What Women Building Futures does

Women Building Futures (WBF) is a Canadian non-profit society and registered charity founded in 1998 in Edmonton, Alberta, that provides free pre-apprenticeship training programs for women and gender-diverse individuals seeking careers in skilled trades and transportation. The organization delivers hands-on classroom and workshop-based programs including Journey to Trades (12-17 week construction trades introduction covering welding, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, millwright, and steamfitter/pipefitter), Professional Class 3 Driver, Pre-Apprenticeship Heavy Equipment Technician, Power Engineer Career Accelerator, Suncor Haul Truck Program, and the Ontario-based Women Ready to Work in Automotive program. Over 25+ years, more than 3,000 women have graduated and entered skilled trades careers. WBF's core differentiator is its wraparound support ecosystem: Success Coaching, 42 affordable housing units at its Edmonton training facility (managed in partnership with Civida), Financial Aid, Indigenous Services, and Alumni Support.

The business model is multi-revenue: tuition is fully funded through government grants (Government of Alberta, Government of Canada, Government of Ontario), corporate sponsorships from major energy and construction firms, and individual charitable donations (CRA registered charity No. 884181223 RR0001). Revenue-generating streams include Employer of Choice membership fees (60+ employer partners paying $750-$3,500 CAD annually based on company size), fee-for-service DEI training workshops ($250-$450 CAD per participant), and online donations. The Employer of Choice program creates a two-sided network connecting graduates with employers committed to inclusive workplaces — major participants include Suncor, Enbridge, Cenovus, Pembina, Shell, Chevron, TC Energy, Imperial, ConocoPhillips, PCL Construction, and Vestas.

Name

Women Building Futures

Legal name

Women Building Futures Society

Website

https://womenbuildingfutures.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Women Building Futures is a Canadian non-profit founded in 1998 that provides free pre-apprenticeship training programs in construction trades, transportation, and heavy equipment operation for women and gender-diverse individuals, combined with wraparound support services and employer placement through its Employer of Choice network of 60+ corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Internship-to-Apprenticeship & Early Talent Pipeline Programs (EDAMAKAL), Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO)

Keywords

• Women trades training
• Pre-apprenticeship programs
• Skilled trades training
• Workforce inclusion
• Construction trades training

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Monthly and one-time donations from individuals and organizations supporting WBF's mission to provide free skills training for women. CRA registered charitable organization No. 884181223 RR0001.
2. Employer of Choice Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from employers (scaling from $750-$3500 CAD annually based on company size) who join the Employer of Choice program to access WBF graduates and DEI resources.
3. Work Proud Inclusivity Training: Fee-for-service training workshops (Building Workplace Success at $450/individual, Best Practices at $250/individual) for organizations seeking to build inclusive workplaces.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Women Building Futures provides free pre-apprenticeship skills training and wraparound support services for women and gender-diverse individuals seeking careers in skilled trades and transportation. Core training programs cover construction trades, commercial driving, heavy equipment operation and technician training, and power engineering, supplemented by housing, success coaching, financial aid, Indigenous services, and alumni support. The organization also operates the Employer of Choice membership program and Work Proud Inclusivity Training workshops for employers seeking to build inclusive workplaces.

Product overview

Women Building Futures offers a portfolio of free pre-apprenticeship training programs in construction trades, transportation, and related fields for women and gender-diverse individuals. The core programs include Journey to Trades (construction trades introduction), Professional Class 3 Driver, Pre-Apprenticeship Heavy Equipment Technician, Power Engineer Career Accelerator, and Suncor Haul Truck Program. The organization surrounds students with wraparound support services including Success Coaching, Affordable Housing, Financial Aid, Indigenous Services, and Alumni Support. The Employer of Choice Program and Work Proud Inclusivity Training extend services to employer partners seeking to build inclusive workplaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Journey to Trades A 12-17 week introductory construction trades pre-apprenticeship program that provides hands-on training in multiple trades (welding, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, millwright, steamfitter/pipefitter), industry safety certifications, and career preparation for women seeking entry-level positions in the construction trades.
• Professional Class 3 Driver A 6-week free training program (3 weeks in-class plus 3 weeks of part-time vehicle training) that prepares women for a Class 3 commercial driver's licence and careers in construction, energy, and freight transportation industries.
• Pre-Apprenticeship Heavy Equipment Technician A 4-week pre-apprenticeship program delivered in Calgary that provides industry safety certifications and hands-on skills training to prepare women for entry-level heavy equipment technician roles.
• Power Engineer Career Accelerator A 2-week virtual introductory program that covers workplace readiness and basic safety certifications, preparing students for subsequent power engineering programs at partner post-secondary institutions.
• Suncor Haul Truck Program A 2-week training program followed by up to 6 months of paid co-op placement at Suncor locations in Fort McMurray, Alberta, preparing graduates for haul truck operator careers in the energy sector.
• Women Ready to Work in Automotive A 16-week pre-apprenticeship program delivered in Sarnia, Ontario covering automotive service technician and heavy-duty equipment technician trades, consisting of 8 weeks of in-class training followed by 8 weeks of work placement. WBF's first Ontario graduates completed this program in 2025.
• Work Proud Inclusivity Training Fee-for-service diversity, equity, and inclusion workshops offered to organizations, including the Building Workplace Success full-day leadership workshop ($450 per individual) and Best Practices for Success half-day worker workshop ($250 per individual), designed to create inclusive workplace cultures.
• Employer of Choice Program An annual membership program that provides employers with access to WBF graduates, an exclusive job board, DEI resources, training discounts, and networking opportunities in exchange for a commitment to inclusive workplace practices. Membership tiers scale from $750 to $3,500 CAD annually based on company size.
• Success Coaching Coaching services for prospective students to explore career interests, build action plans, and determine which WBF training program may be the best fit for their individual needs.
• Affordable Housing 42 safe, secure, and affordable housing suites in downtown Edmonton managed in partnership with Civida, available to WBF students during their training programs.
• Financial Aid Financial support services including emergency funding, scholarships, and bursaries for students, delivered in partnership with Alberta Works for foundational learner assistance.
• Indigenous Services Specialized support and coaching for Indigenous women including cultural learning opportunities, career exploration, and tailored support for success in WBF programs.
• Alumni Support Post-graduation services including career coaching, resume preparation, employment referrals, and access to the WBF Alumni Career Advancement Scholarship for WBF graduates.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of trained women connected to rewarding employment (strategic goal)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• City of Edmonton Family and Community Support ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy partner contributing for 10+ years to sustainable growth of the organization
• CLACcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy partner contributing for 10+ years to sustainable growth of the organization
• Government of AlbertacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy partner providing significant funding and support for WBF programs and operations
• Government of CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy partner providing significant funding and support through various programs including Pilot Fund for Gender Equality
• SuncorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy partner and sponsor of Suncor Haul Truck Program providing training and paid co-op opportunities
• Surehire Occupational TestingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCornerstone partner with cumulative giving over $1 million; supports major projects and program expansion
• PembinamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowth partner with annual investment of $50,000+; supports training programs and PECA program scholarships
• Inter PipelinemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowth partner with annual investment of $50,000+; co-develops training programs and provides employment opportunities
• Cenovus EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowth partner with annual investment of $50,000+
• ChevronmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowth partner with annual investment of $50,000+
• EnbridgemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowth partner with annual investment of $50,000+
• Imperial Oil LimitedmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowth partner with annual investment of $50,000+
• Shell CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowth partner with annual investment of $50,000+
• TC Energy CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowth partner with annual investment of $50,000+
• AECONmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowth partner with annual investment of $50,000+
• ConocoPhillipsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowth partner with annual investment of $50,000+
• Bison TransportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner providing employment opportunities for WBF graduates
• Caron Transportation SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner providing employment opportunities for WBF graduates
• FinningminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner providing employment opportunities and experiential learning for students
• KAG CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner providing employment opportunities for WBF graduates
• PCL ConstructionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwareness partner and Employer of Choice member supporting diversity in the workforce
• Vestas North AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner sponsoring the Vestas Wind Turbine Readiness program and employing graduates
• WorleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner providing employment opportunities for WBF graduates
• LedcorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner providing employment opportunities and experiential learning for students
• CividaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to manage 42 affordable housing units at WBF Edmonton facility
• Alberta Council of Women's SheltersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner offering Domestic Violence & Your Workplace training at preferred pricing for EOC members
• Beyond Diversity Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner offering diversity and inclusion workshops at preferred pricing for EOC members

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• JobTrain: California-based workforce development non-profit providing free vocational training and job placement for low-income individuals. Comparable as a free, employer-partnered vocational training model serving underserved populations.
• Helmets to Hardhats: Non-profit that connects veterans to careers in the construction industry. Comparable as a construction-industry-focused training and placement program with employer partnerships, though targeting a different underrepresented population.
• Year Up: U.S. workforce development non-profit providing free training and corporate internships to young adults from underserved backgrounds. Comparable in being a tuition-free, employer-partnered training-to-employment model with wraparound support.
• Oregon Tradeswomen: Non-profit pre-apprenticeship trades training program for women in the Pacific Northwest. Directly comparable mission and operating model: free tuition, hands-on multi-trade training, wraparound support, and employer placement partnerships.
• Chicago Women in Trades: Chicago-based non-profit that prepares women for skilled trades careers through pre-apprenticeship training and supportive services. Closely mirrors WBF in target population, program structure, and employer engagement model.
• Per Scholas: Non-profit offering free technical training and career support to individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. Comparable as a tuition-free, outcomes-focused workforce training provider that combines skills instruction with employer-driven placement.

Broad incumbents

• BuildForce Canada: National industry-led organization providing construction labour market intelligence and workforce development support. Overlaps with WBF in construction trades workforce focus but operates as an industry research/policy body rather than a direct training provider.
• NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology): Major Alberta polytechnic offering technical and trade programs including many of the same occupations WBF trains for (welding, heavy equipment, power engineering). Comparable as a regional technical training institution but with degree/diploma programs rather than short pre-apprenticeship cohorts.
• YWCA: National women's services organization providing employment readiness, training, and wraparound support across Canada. Overlaps with WBF in serving women with employment and economic security needs, though broader in scope (housing, childcare, violence support) and not trades-specific.
• SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology): Calgary-based polytechnic delivering trade and technical programs across the same occupational areas as WBF. Comparable as an Alberta training institution serving the same labour market, though with a different participant model (tuition-paying students).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WBFinTrades
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WomenBuildingFutures
• Facebookfacebook.com/womenbuildingfutures
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/women-building-futures
• Instagraminstagram.com/wbfintrades

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Women Building Futures