Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen

What Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen does

Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen (OBCT) is a non-profit committee established in 2019 by the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO) to address the underrepresentation of women in Ontario's skilled construction trades, where women currently account for less than five per cent of the workforce. The organization operates as an affiliated initiative under PBCTCO, which represents over 150,000 construction workers in the province, and is led by Chair Karen Pullen with Program Manager Kate Walsh. OBCT delivers free services including a one-on-one mentorship matching program, training and events (Indigenous Awareness Training, JHSC certification, Skilled Trades Information Sessions), the Film Project (12 video profiles across trades), scholarships and grants administration, a Speakers' Bureau, the #WorkingTradeswomenWednesday social initiative, and ongoing research including the 2025 Recruitment and Retention Research Initiative.

OBCT's core "products" are program-based rather than technology-based: there is no proprietary platform, app, or API; the technology footprint consists of a Wix-hosted website, standard social media channels (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, X), Zoom for virtual events, and email newsletters. Service distribution is province-wide across Ontario, delivered virtually and through partner channels, with the addressable audience being women interested in entering skilled trades, working tradeswomen, and affiliated building trades unions.

The business model is grant-funded non-profit: all training and events are provided free to participants, with no pricing tiers or commercial revenue streams. Funding flows through the Ontario Skills Development Fund via PBCTCO, supplemented by minor corporate sponsorship (e.g., Turkstra Lumber, LiUNA! 837 for the 2024 #IWD Poster Exhibit) and scholarship partnerships (BOLT Foundation). OBCT does not generate independent revenue, has no shareholders, and operates as a coordinated advocacy and service-delivery arm of the broader Ontario building trades council structure.

Name

Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen

Legal name

Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen

Website

https://obctradeswomen.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OBCT is a non-profit committee under the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario that delivers free mentorship, training, and advocacy programs to recruit and retain women in Ontario's skilled construction trades, where women represent under 5% of the workforce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Skilled Trades Workforce Development

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Labor Unions and Similar Labor Organizations (81393)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Working at Heights, Fall Protection & Scaffolding (EDABAEAH)

Keywords

• Skilled trades advocacy
• Women in construction
• Trades mentorship programs
• Apprenticeship pathway support
• Workforce diversity training

Headquarters

HQ city

Etobicoke

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Training programs are funded through the Skills Development Fund by the Government of Ontario. The organization also receives support from its parent organization, the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen (OBCT) is a non-profit advocacy committee that recruits, supports, and retains women in Ontario's building and construction skilled trades. It delivers free mentorship matching, training programs (Indigenous Awareness Training, JHSC certification), apprenticeship pathway referrals, scholarships, research, and community events, operating under the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario and funded by the Government of Ontario's Skills Development Fund.

Product overview

The Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen (OBCT) is a network dedicated to advancing, supporting, and advocating for women in the skilled trades. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of programs including a Mentorship Program connecting tradeswomen with mentors/mentees, Training & Events providing free leadership and skills training, the Film Project creating video content showcasing tradeswomen, Scholarships & Grants including the BOLT Women in Construction Scholarship, Trade Opportunities linking women to apprenticeship pathways, an OBCT Speakers' Bureau of tradeswomen speakers, the #WorkingTradeswomenWednesday social media initiative, Research & Surveys on recruitment and retention, Tradeswomen Focus Groups for qualitative research, and the #IWD Poster Exhibit awareness campaign. The organization serves as a central hub for women exploring or working in construction trades across Ontario.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OBCT Mentorship Program A free mentorship matching program connecting Ontario tradeswomen with experienced mentors or peers for professional development, career guidance, and ongoing support in skilled trades careers.
• Training and Events Free virtual and in-person training and events for Ontario tradeswomen, including quarterly Skilled Trades Information Sessions, monthly committee meetings, Indigenous Awareness Training, and Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Representative certification, funded by the Government of Ontario's Skills Development Fund.
• OBCT Film Project A video content series featuring tradeswomen across 12 different skilled trades, documenting their day-in-the-life tasks, career journeys, and experiences to provide role models and career exploration resources.
• Scholarships and Grants Financial support offerings for tradeswomen, including the BOLT Women in Construction Scholarship (three scholarships of $500 each for young women in construction trades in the GTA) and additional scholarship opportunities through partner organizations.
• Trade Opportunities Portal A curated list of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship pathway programs including the IBEW Local 353 Pathway Program, Tomorrow's Trades, Building Up, NexGen Builders, YWCA Hamilton and Toronto programs, and Indigenous Women in Trades initiatives, connecting women to specific trade entry points.
• OBCT Speakers' Bureau A roster of experienced tradeswomen available to speak at schools and events about their experiences in the skilled trades, used to recruit and inspire newcomers to the trades.
• OBCT Research and Surveys Research initiatives including the 2025 OBCT Recruitment and Retention Research Initiative, the Ontario Leadership Survey (2022), and the Ontario Tradeswomen Survey (2022), providing data on the experiences and barriers facing tradeswomen in Ontario.
• Tradeswomen Focus Groups Qualitative research sessions inviting Ontario tradeswomen to share experiences on equity, inclusion, workplace culture, and well-being, with findings used to shape recommendations for recruitment and retention.
• Explore the Trades An online resource hub showcasing over 40 skilled trades with trade codes, descriptions, and pathway information for trades such as Boilermaker, Carpenter, Electrician, Ironworker, Millwright, Plumber, and Sheet Metal Worker.

Quantifiable outcome

• Fielded hundreds of tradeswomen interested in becoming construction trades apprentices
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

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

• Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Parent organization that established OBCT in 2019 as a province-wide coordinated effort to support, recruit and retain tradeswomen. PBCTCO represents over 150,000 construction workers throughout the province and provides organizational support and funding through the Skills Development Fund.
• Construction Training and Apprenticeship Ontario (CTAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnline resource connecting individuals with apprenticeship opportunities through their extensive network of construction trade union partners across the province. Partners with OBCT for training and pathway programs.
• Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint labour-management organization dedicated to enhancing Ontario's unionized ICI construction industry. Represents collective interests and provides research support for the construction sector.
• Skills OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding Ontario's skilled trades and technologies workforce by enabling and empowering youth to consider careers in skilled trades. Engagement programs connect education, experience, and employment.
• Ontario Building Trades Health, Safety & Prevention ResourcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth, Safety & Prevention Resource providing information on workplace safety issues, WSIB, Mental Health and Research for construction workers.
• LeadHERtradesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner10-month mentorship program for women in construction trades featuring monthly virtual one-on-one meetings and topics-focused sessions.
• BOLT FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHelps connect under-resourced youth 17-29 years old in the GTA to careers in construction through awareness, immersive career exploration, financial support for training, and community partnerships.
• IBEW Local 353 Toronto - Pathway ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario, Workforce Warriors, The Career Foundation, YWCA Toronto and Workers Health and Safety Centre. Provides 15 weeks foundational electrical skills training and 10 weeks job placement.
• Mohawk CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraphic Design students partnered with OBCT to create skilled trades posters for International Women's Day. Collaboration of story, art, and experience.
• Workers Arts & Heritage CentremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the #IWD Poster Exhibit displaying posters featuring Ontario tradeswomen. Co-presented the 2021 Convention Workshop with Worker's Arts and Heritage Centre.
• CBTU (Canadian Building Trades Unions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with CBTU for Indigenous Awareness Training course providing context on current situations within construction industry and Indigenous Communities.
• SkillPlancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Indigenous Awareness Training in partnership with CBTU. Training course based on history of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
• Support Ontario YouthmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner with BOLT Charitable Foundation to offer scholarships to young women in construction trades within the GTA.
• Tomorrow's TradescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkforce development program under CTAO banner creating pathways to skilled trade apprenticeships for those traditionally underrepresented including women, Indigenous youth, Black youth, persons with disabilities, newcomers.
• Building UpmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor16-week pre-apprenticeship program in Toronto that provides earn-while-you-learn opportunities connecting housing maintenance with training pathways for individuals experiencing barriers.
• NexGen BuildersmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQuick Start in Construction program preparing those wanting to work in construction trades with basic requirements and certifications including Working at Heights, Elevated Work Platforms, WHMIS.
• YWCA HamiltonmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOffers free pre-apprenticeship programs for Women in Trades with technical training and job coaching.
• YWCA TorontomajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSTAR 4-Women Program (Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness) funded by Employment and Social Development Canada for women and gender-diverse individuals.
• Turkstra LumberminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2024 #IWD Poster Exhibit event.
• LiUNA! 837minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2024 #IWD Poster Exhibit event.
• Worker's Health and ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership offering JHSC (Joint Health and Safety Committee) Representative Training for tradeswomen in partnership with the Ontario Building Trades Health, Safety & Prevention Resource.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LeadHERtrades: LeadHERtrades is a 10-month mentorship program pairing women in construction trades through monthly one-on-one virtual meetings and topic-driven sessions. It is a direct peer to OBCT's Mentorship Program in format and mission, with an active partnership linking the two organizations.
• YWCA Hamilton — Women in Trades: YWCA Hamilton offers free pre-apprenticeship programs for women in trades with technical training and job coaching. It is a direct peer to OBCT in mission (women-in-trades training and pathway support) and is an active OBCT referral partner, though it serves the Hamilton region rather than province-wide.
• BOLT Charitable Foundation: BOLT is a Greater Toronto Area non-profit that connects under-resourced youth aged 17–29, including young women, to careers in construction through awareness, immersive career exploration, and financial support for training. It is a direct peer to OBCT given overlapping focus on construction-trades pathway programs for underrepresented groups and active partnership through the BOLT Women in Construction Scholarship.
• YWCA Toronto — STAR 4-Women Program: YWCA Toronto's STAR 4-Women Program delivers skilled trades awareness and readiness training for women and gender-diverse individuals, funded by Employment and Social Development Canada. It is a direct peer to OBCT as a women-focused construction-trades training and pathway program operating in the same geography and frequently listed on OBCT's Trade Opportunities page.
• Building Up: Building Up runs a 16-week pre-apprenticeship program in Toronto providing earn-while-you-learn construction training pathways for individuals facing barriers to employment, including women. It is a direct peer to OBCT given overlapping pre-apprenticeship and pathway programming and a documented OBCT partnership via the Trade Opportunities hub.
• Tomorrow's Trades (CTAO): Tomorrow's Trades is a Construction Training and Apprenticeship Ontario (CTAO) workforce-development program creating pathways into skilled-trade apprenticeships for underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous youth, Black youth, persons with disabilities, and newcomers. It is a direct peer to OBCT given the shared pathway-building mission and an active OBCT channel partnership.

Broad incumbents

• Skills Ontario: Skills Ontario is a province-wide organization promoting skilled trades and technologies careers among youth, including women and underrepresented groups. It is comparable to OBCT as an Ontario-focused workforce-development and trades-promotion body, but Skills Ontario addresses all youth demographics across all trades rather than focusing specifically on women.
• Canadian Building Trades Unions (CBTU): CBTU is the national umbrella for Canada's unionized building trades, representing hundreds of thousands of construction workers across all provinces. It is comparable to OBCT's parent PBCTCO at the federal level, and is an active OBCT training partner (Indigenous Awareness Training); however, CBTU's mandate is the entire unionized trades sector rather than women specifically.
• Tradeswomen Build Nations (North America's Building Trades Unions): Tradeswomen Build Nations is a North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) conference and network supporting women in the unionized construction trades across the U.S. and Canada. It is comparable to OBCT in mission (women-in-trades advocacy and convening) but operates at the continental scale, complementing OBCT's provincial focus.
• National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC): NAWIC is the largest North American association supporting women in construction, offering education, networking, and advocacy across the entire industry. It is comparable to OBCT as a women-in-construction membership and advocacy body, but operates at a much broader geographic and occupational scope (all construction roles, all of North America) rather than focusing narrowly on Ontario skilled trades.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OBCTradeswomen
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@obctradeswomen
• Facebookfacebook.com/obctradeswomen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/obctradeswomen
• Instagraminstagram.com/obctradeswomen
• TikToktiktok.com/@obctradeswomen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen