More than 70 trades instructors who are women or gender-diverse, along with industry leaders and allies, gathered at the BCIT Downtown Campus from May 8 to 10, 2026, for the inaugural Equity in Trades Conference for Women and Gender-Diverse Trades Instructors, hosted by the BCIT ConnectHER Hub. The three-day event focused on strengthening inclusion, mentorship, leadership, and belonging within skilled trades education.
The ConnectHER Hub is a BCIT initiative dedicated to supporting the recruitment, retention and advancement of women and gender-diverse trades students. The conference brought together participants from across Western Canada to share experiences, explore challenges and develop strategies for creating more inclusive training environments.
While conversations about women in the trades have often centred on recruitment, the conference emphasized a broader goal: ensuring students and instructors can thrive, advance, and lead within apprenticeship and technical training environments. Sessions explored Indigenous perspectives in trades education, sustainable leadership, professional development, mentorship, representation and the evolving role of instructors as mentors, advocates, and culture-shapers.
“Supporting women and gender-diverse trades instructors is a critical lever for improving learning environments and sustaining participation in the trades,” said Anna Lary, Master Electrician, Founder and Project Lead of the ConnectHER Hub. Anna opened the conference by highlighting the significance of bringing together trades educators and industry leaders to share knowledge and strengthen support for women and gender-diverse people in the trades.
A keynote address from Jessica Bannister, a Red Seal-endorsed HVAC/R mechanic and industry advocate, encouraged participants to embrace non-traditional career pathways. Bannister highlighted the importance of visibility, representation and recognizing diverse possibilities for leadership and advancement within the skilled trades.
Sharing knowledge and building leadership
The conference featured a range of presentations and discussions, including:
- Leadership journeys in trades education — Led by Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Associate Deans Laurel Tokuda and Nicole Mahoney.
- Indigenous perspectives and culturally responsive trades education — Led by BCIT Indigenous trades educators Barbara James Malidzas and Chelsea Barron.
- A toolkit to support women and gender-diverse trades instructors — Led by Yuqi Yang and Anna Lary.
- Professional development opportunities for trades instructors — Led by Andrea Durdle, an instructor at Camosun College and UA Local 324, and a Red Seal-endorsed plumber and Gas Fitter Class B.
- Sustainable leadership in male-dominated environments — Led by BCIT instructor and Master Electrician Kavan Smith.
Throughout the three-day event, participants identified mentorship, professional development, and community-building as essential to improving retention among both instructors and students. Discussions explored the challenges of transitioning from industry into teaching, sustaining leadership in traditionally male-dominated environments, and navigating increasingly complex educational roles.
A recurring theme was the evolving role of trades instructors as not only technical experts but also mentors, advocates, and culture-shapers. Participants emphasized the importance of professional networks, practical resources, and ongoing development to help instructors support diverse learners and foster psychologically safer, more inclusive learning environments.
These conversations align with BCIT’s broader commitment to advancing equity in skilled trades education and complement the ConnectHER Hub’s ongoing work to support the recruitment, retention, advancement and sense of belonging of women and gender-diverse students and workers.
Advancing representation in trades leadership
The conference also took place amid growing representation of women in trades leadership at BCIT. Breena Jackson was appointed Associate Dean of Industrial Construction in the School of Construction and the Environment (SOCE), while Rachel Shatz was appointed Program Head for Piping within SOCE. These appointments reflect the growing presence of women in leadership roles across skilled trades education.
Building a more inclusive trades sector requires more than recruitment alone. By investing in leadership, mentorship, professional development, culturally responsive education and supportive learning environments, BCIT and its partners are helping strengthen pathways for success and support a more sustainable future for skilled trades education.
Many thanks to our partners and funders: Dream & Build, BC Hydro, and Pitt Meadows Plumbing. Thanks always to Embark Student Corp for its generous support.
Learn more about the ConnectHER Hub and its work to support women and gender-diverse people in skilled trades education.