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For women and gender-diverse trades students at BCIT

ConnectHER Hub

Join the skilled trades community

ConnectHER Hub – Centre for Equity in Trades

Located in the AFRESH Home Building (NE-3) on BCIT’s Burnaby Campus, the ConnectHER Hub is a welcoming drop-in space that supports connection, retention, and advancement for women and gender-diverse people in the skilled trades. It is an evolution of BCIT’s strong tradition of supporting the recruitment of women in trades.

Whether you’re starting your training, apprenticing in the field, or already working in your trade, the Hub offers networking, mentorship, and career guidance to help you thrive at every stage of your journey.

Here, you can:

  • Connect with peers, alumni, and industry mentors

  • Access free resources, community events, and financial guidance

  • Grow through leadership opportunities, workshops, and career pathways

What’s Happening at the Hub

The Leadership Accelerator for Trades Students (LATS)

LATS is a unique opportunity for trades students and apprentices who want to build confidence, strengthen their leadership skills, expand their networks, and help shape the future of the trades. It is a free, cohort-based leadership initiative designed to support emerging leaders from across the skilled trades. LATS will launch in November 2026 and wrap up in March 2027. The program will be delivered primarily through virtual learning, making it accessible to participants from across British Columbia regardless of location or trade. The program will culminate in an in-person capstone experience, where participants will come together to strengthen their networks, showcase their learning, and further develop their leadership skills.

While hosted by BCIT, LATS is not limited to BCIT students. The program welcomes applications from eligible apprentices, trades students from any post-secondary institution, and individuals in the early stages of their skilled trades careers across British Columbia. Participants from all trades, genders, cultures, backgrounds, identities, abilities, and lived experiences are encouraged to apply.

Whether you are just beginning your trade journey or progressing through your apprenticeship, LATS will help you develop the tools, connections, and confidence to make a positive impact on your job site, in your community, and throughout your career.

APPLY HERE (application closes midnight August 18th)

Monthly Community Lunches (11 am to 2 PM): Join us for great conversations, food, and connections at NE3 AFRESH Home.

    • July 31st
    • August 28th

Upcoming 2026 Events

  • Built to Last (Movember) – November 5th, 2026
  • Equity in Electrical 4.0 – November 20th, 2026
  • Pride on the Tools 2.0 – Fall 2026
  • Employer Resource Event – Fall 2026

Past Highlights

About the National ConnectHER Project

The ConnectHER Project is a nationwide initiative led by Fanshawe Corporate Training Solutions. Funded by the Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, it aims to create a more inclusive skilled trades workforce by supporting women through training, networking, and promoting diversity and inclusivity. By combining the strengths and resources of all our ConnectHER allies, we aim to equip women with the skills, support, and opportunities necessary to succeed and excel in their chosen trade careers.

Join us today

Meet the ConnectHER Team