Number of women working in trades spiked in P.E.I. last year, report says

More women entered the trades workforce in P.E.I. in 2024 according to a report from a Canadian industry group.

BuildForce, which represents all sectors of the country's construction market, said 910 women were employed in trades on the Island last year, an increase of over 300 from the previous year.

As a father of two daughters who work in the trades, Construction Association of P.E.I. executive director Sam Sanderson said he's happy to see the statistics trending in this direction.

"It's amazing to see those numbers increase and we're encouraging it all the time," Sanderson said. 

"We're really hoping that continues on. We'd love to see a lot more women in the industry."

With an increase in construction projected for the years ahead, Sanderson said a lot has been done in recent years to encourage more people to enter the workforce.

Five per cent of the 7,250 tradespeople currently employed in P.E.I. are women, according to the BuildForce report.

Sanderson said  the association has seen more women entering the the electrical, plumbing and carpentry fields.

"Construction is way more than just about the actual building," he said. "There's so many opportunities and so many different aspects of it, there's opportunities for anybody and everybody."

'The world is open to them' 

Tracy Croucher, who owns Mr. Plumber in Charlottetown, said she's been able to hire more women in recent years.

"We just happen to see more qualified women coming through the doors and it's really nice to see," she said. "Right now, women are seeing that the world is open to them."

Seven of the 25 employees on Croucher's staff are women, including office workers, service managers and fourth-year plumbers.

"We don't focus on women, we don't specifically recruit women, but when they come through and have the skill set, it's a wonderful addition to our team."