BC Centre for Women in the Trades

What BC Centre for Women in the Trades does

BC Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT) is a Canadian non-profit organization established in 2018 and headquartered in North Burnaby, British Columbia, operating under the umbrella of the BC Federation of Labour. It provides connection, funding, resources, and support services to equity priority tradespeople across the province, with a primary focus on women, trans, non-binary, and 2SLGBTIAQ+ individuals in the construction, industrial, and maintenance trades, alongside programs targeting Indigenous people, racialized people, and people with disabilities. Its core service lines cover occupational training and certification, employment placement support, mentorship and networking, funding for PPE, tools, and transportation, and workplace culture training for employers.

The organization runs six active core programs (Trades Training & Employment, ConnectHER, Show Up for Safer Workplaces, SHARP Workplaces Training, WITT Wednesdays, and the Resources database) together with legacy offerings such as the Leaders in Trades program (currently paused for intakes), Be More Than A Bystander, the Career Advancement Bursary, and the BCCWITT Project Grant. Services are delivered through a combination of virtual events, regional in-person meetups, training cohorts, and direct referral channels. Distribution is enabled by a partnership network that includes SkilledTradesBC, BC Building Trades, the Construction Labour Relations Association of BC, BC Construction Association, BC Infrastructure Benefits, BC Institute of Technology, Camosun College, IBEW Local 213, Woodfibre LNG, the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, and Indigenous organizations such as ACCESS Trades.

BCCWITT does not sell commercial products and does not operate proprietary technology. All services are provided free of charge to eligible participants. Operating funding flows primarily from government channels, specifically the Canada-BC Labour Market Development Agreement via a Sector Labour Market Partnership, the Province of British Columbia, and supplementary partnership and foundation support (e.g., Vancity Community Foundation). Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. The organization employs approximately seven staff, including an Executive Director, Director of Programs, and coordinators.

Name

BC Centre for Women in the Trades

Legal name

BC Centre for Women in the Trades

Website

https://bccwitt.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BCCWITT is a BC non-profit operating under the BC Federation of Labour that delivers free training, mentorship, employment support, and workplace culture programs to women and equity priority tradespeople across British Columbia, funded through government labour market agreements and partner contributions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Skilled Trades Workforce Development and Equity Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)

Keywords

• Trades workforce development
• Women in trades training
• Skilled trades equity programs
• Apprenticeship support services
• Workplace safety training

Headquarters

HQ city

North Burnaby

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: BCCWITT operates under the umbrella of the BC Federation of Labour and receives funding through government labor market agreements. The organization was established in 2018 through a Sector Labour Market Partnership (SLMP) project funded by the Canada-BC Labour Market Development Agreement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

BCCWITT provides free connection, funding, resources, and support services for equity priority tradespeople across British Columbia, focusing on the attraction, retention, and advancement of women, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTIAQ+ individuals in skilled trades. Its portfolio includes occupational training and certification, mentorship and networking programs, employment placement support, financial assistance for PPE and tools, bursaries, leadership training, and workplace culture/bystander intervention training delivered to individuals and employers.

Product overview

BC Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT) is a nonprofit advocacy and support organization — not a software platform — offering a suite of training, mentorship, funding, and networking programs aimed at increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the skilled trades. Its core programs include Trades Training & Employment (direct career pathway support), ConnectHER (peer networking), Show Up for Safer Workplaces (psychological safety training), SHARP Workplaces Training (sexual harassment awareness), WITT Wednesdays (monthly virtual meetups and webinars), and a Resources database. Legacy programs include the Leaders in Trades leadership program, Be More Than A Bystander bystander training, the Career Advancement Bursary, and BCCWITT Project Grants. The organization operates under the BC Federation of Labour umbrella.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trades Training & Employment Connects equity priority individuals with skilled trades careers through occupational skills training, free short-term occupational certificates (Occupational First Aid, Fall Arrest, Elevated Work Platforms, Confined Spaces, SiteReadyBC), employment placement support, funding for PPE, tools, and transportation, and access to BCCWITT's employer network.
• ConnectHER Networking, mentorship, and peer support program specifically for women and gender-diverse people in the BC skilled trades. Connects participants with mentors and a community of tradespeople across the province.
• Show Up for Safer Workplaces

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80 participants have completed Show Up for Safer Workplaces training
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• BC Federation of LabourcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2018BCCWITT operates under the umbrella of the BC Federation of Labour. The BCFED provides organizational support, governance oversight, and connects BCCWITT with labor union networks across BC. BCCWITT's Governance Committee is chaired by BCFED leadership.
• SkilledTradesBCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner managing apprenticeship and trades certification in BC. BCCWITT partners with SkilledTradesBC on the Leaders in Trades program and connects participants with apprenticeship pathways and training opportunities.
• BC Building TradescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organization for construction trade unions in BC. Partners on Build TogetHER BC campaign and connects BCCWITT participants with union apprenticeship programs and employment opportunities.
• Construction Labour Relations Association of BCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRepresents construction employers and contractors in labor relations. Partnership focuses on connecting BCCWITT participants with employer opportunities and promoting inclusive workplace practices.
• BC Construction AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella association for construction industry. Works with BCCWITT on workforce development initiatives and connects with member contractors for employment placement.
• BC Infrastructure BenefitsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvincial corporation delivering public infrastructure projects with requirements for skilled workforce. Partnership supports employment pathways for BCCWITT participants.
• BC Trades Equity SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormerly BC Tradeswomen Society. Provides support and networking for women, trans men, trans women, and non-binary individuals in trades across BC. Governance representation and mentorship connections.
• Build Together BCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampaign of BC Building Trades promoting and mentoring women in skilled construction trades. Co-hosts events and training, provides mentorship network access for BCCWITT participants.
• Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver SHARP Workplaces program providing free legal advice and training on workplace sexual harassment. BCCWITT helps deliver public education on sexual harassment prevention.
• IBEW Local 213majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union local. Provides apprenticeship pathways, training opportunities, and mentorship connections for women in electrical trades. Governance representation.
• Woodfibre LNG Ltd.majorGTM or Marketing PartnerLNG facility project employer. Provides employment opportunities and support for BCCWITT participants. Executive leadership actively endorses and supports BCCWITT mission.
• Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational non-profit advancing apprenticeship. BCCWITT participates in JEDI Committee and collaborates on research and national strategies for women in trades.
• Camosun CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVancouver Island college offering Women in Trades Training programs. Hosts WITT Wednesdays meetups, Board of Governors representation from BCCWITT staff, and training delivery.
• BC Institute of Technology (BCIT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial polytechnic institution. Hosts ConnectHER Hub and partners on training programs. Hosts events like Journey to Success for Women Apprentices.
• Pride at Work CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ workplace inclusion. Partnership supports resources and knowledge sharing for 2SLGBTIAQ+ tradespeople.
• Indigenous OrganizationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarious Indigenous organizations across BC supporting Indigenous tradespeople through BCCWITT programs. Includes ACCESS Trades, community-specific training initiatives, and truth and reconciliation efforts in trades.
• Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan (CIRP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health and addiction services for BC Building Trades union members. Provides referral pathway for BCCWITT participants needing support services.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• YWCA Metro Vancouver: Regional non-profit advancing gender equity with employment, training, and wraparound support programs for women. Adjacent peer in mission and geography, though not trades-focused.
• CWB Welding Foundation: Canadian foundation supporting welding education and workforce development, including targeted initiatives for women and Indigenous people in welding trades. Thematically aligned funder/partner in the same trades-equity space.

Regional players

• Trades Win: Ontario-based organization supporting women in skilled trades with mentorship, training, and advocacy. Direct mission peer serving women in trades but operating in a different provincial ecosystem.
• Women Building Futures: Alberta-based non-profit providing trades training, employment placement, and wraparound supports specifically for women. Closest functional analog to BCCWITT in a different province, with comparable wraparound service model for women in trades.

Emerging players

• Skills Canada: National non-profit promoting skilled trades and technology careers to Canadian youth. Adjacent peer in promoting trades as viable careers, with some overlap in employer and training-institution engagement.
• Tradeswomen Inc. US-based non-profit building a pipeline of women into the building trades via mentorship, advocacy, and jobsite culture work. International peer with a comparable mission of women-in-trades advocacy and support.

Direct peers

• CAREERS: The Next Generation: Alberta-based non-profit that helps young people explore and prepare for skilled trades and technology careers. Comparable mission of building trades workforce pipeline, with similar employer and training-institution partnership approach.
• Build Together BC: A campaign of BC Building Trades that promotes and mentors women in skilled construction trades across British Columbia. Co-hosts events and training with BCCWITT, serving the same target population of women entering construction trades in BC.
• BC Trades Equity Society: BC-based non-profit (formerly BC Tradeswomen Society) providing support and networking for women, trans men, trans women, and non-binary individuals in trades across BC. Direct peer in mission and geography, with overlapping governance representation with BCCWITT.
• Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA): National non-profit advancing apprenticeship in Canada. BCCWITT participates in its JEDI Committee and collaborates on research and national strategies for women in trades — a national-level peer with overlapping equity-focused mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BCCWITT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bccwitt
• Instagraminstagram.com/bccwitt
• Xx.com/bccwitt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 BC Centre for Women in the Trades