Office to Advance Women Apprentices NL

11/03/2026

Have you recently earned your Red Seal certification?
You could be eligible for a $5,000 bonus!

Starting November 16, 2026, the Government of Canada will accept applications for the Red Seal Completion Bonus. Tradespeople who completed their apprenticeship and earned certification in a designated Red Seal trade on or after April 1, 2025, may be eligible to receive $5,000.

Get ready to apply by gathering your apprentice identification number, certification details, personal and banking information, and required supporting documents.

🔗 Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply: https://canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/red-seal-completion-bonus.html

OAWA would also love to celebrate you!

As we prepare for this year’s Trailblazer Gala, we want to recognize women who achieved their journeyperson (JP) status in the past year, or whose achievements haven’t been recognized at a previous event.

If this applies to you, please complete the submission form below so we can celebrate your achievement at the gala on January 28, 2027!
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/N3FfrBcR9V

11/02/2026

Nominations are officially OPEN for OAWA's 2027 Awards! 🌟

Do you know a tradeswoman who is paving the way for others? An employer who is creating opportunities and building a more inclusive workplace? Or someone who consistently shows up as an ally and makes a difference for women in the skilled trades?

We want to hear about them!

Nominations are now open for three awards:
🏆 Trailblazer Award
🏆 Extraordinary Employer Award
🏆 Allyship in Action Award

Help us recognize the people who are making a difference and shaping a stronger future for women in skilled trades across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Deadline to submit nominations: December 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

Trailblazer:
https://nl.womenapprentices.ca/events/trailblazer-award/

Extraordinary Employer:
https://nl.womenapprentices.ca/events/employer-award/

Allyship in Action:
https://nl.womenapprentices.ca/events/allyship-award/

Award recipients will be recognized at our Rooted and Rising Trailblazers Gala on January 28, 2027 at Glendenning Golf, Mount Pearl.

10/28/2026

Are you a women working in residential construction? Looking for a community of other women in the industry? Interested in learning more about The Built Collective NL? Curious to see the shop where an all female residential construction crew is building a stronger future for women in the skilled trades?

You're not going to want to miss this event! 👇🏻

WOMEN IN RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION: MEET & MINGLE!

Looking to make new connections, share experiences, and meet other women in the residential construction industry? Join CHBA-NL’s Women in Residential Construction Council for our next Meet & Mingle!

Connect. Collaborate. Build Together.

Come learn about The Built Collective and how they are supporting women apprentices and helping build a stronger, more inclusive future for the skilled trades.

Whether you’re a builder, renovator, tradesperson, apprentice, or work in another area of residential construction, this is a great opportunity to expand your network, exchange ideas, and celebrate the contributions of women in our industry.

Proudly sponsored by Atlantic Team Realty!

📅 Date: November 12, 2026
⏰ Time: 3:00–5:00 p.m.
📍 Location: 340 LeMarchant Road, St. John’s (The Built Collective Office)
🎟️ Cost: FREE!

Women and persons who identify as women are welcome!

📩 RSVP by November 9th: [email protected]
Bring a colleague, make new connections, and be part of the conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!

10/27/2026

What could a stronger mentoring culture look like in your workplace?

OAWA’s Mentoring Women in Trades (MWiT) training is an opportunity for employers, HR professionals, supervisors and workplace leaders to experience the tools and strategies that can help build stronger mentoring relationships and more supportive workplaces.

Join us for an interactive session exploring unconscious bias, microaggressions, bullying and harassment, difficult conversations, and practical ways to better support women in the skilled trades.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your existing mentoring practices or explore how this training could benefit your organization, this session is a chance to see what it’s all about and take practical ideas back to your workplace.

📅 November 25, 2026 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
📍 Capital Hotel, St. John’s
💲 $50 per person

All proceeds support OAWA’s scholarship fund for women pursuing careers in the skilled trades.

Come experience the training and explore what it could look like for your team.

Register today! https://nl.womenapprentices.ca/news-events/mentoring-women-in-trades-mwit-training-workshop/

10/26/2026

✨ SAVE THE DATE! ✨

The Trailblazer Gala is back on January 28, 2027!

Join us at Glendenning Golf in Mount Pearl as we celebrate the women, employers, and allies helping shape the future of skilled trades in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This year’s theme is Rooted and Rising. Rooted in opportunity. Rising together.

🏆 Nominations for the Trailblazer, Extraordinary Employer and Allyship in Action awards open in November, so start thinking about the people and workplaces you’d like to recognize!

If you're a tradeswoman who has received JP status in the past year we want to recognize you! Contact Ashley at [email protected]

If you're interested in becoming a sponsor for this years event contact Leigh at [email protected]

100% of proceeds support the Office to Advance Women Apprentices’ scholarship fund.

We hope to see you there!

10/14/2026

🎙️ Episode Three of Building Change is live!

In this episode, Leigh sits down with Sarah McHugh-Wade, Legal Support Navigator with The Journey Project, to talk about supporting survivors of sexual violence and intimate partner violence through free legal advice, compassionate guidance, and accessible support.

They explore the partnership between The Journey Project and OAWA, the importance of addressing workplace sexual harassment, and how employers can help create safer, more respectful workplaces.

It’s a conversation about meeting people where they are, building stronger community connections, and making sure no one has to navigate difficult situations alone.

🎧 Listen to Episode Three now, wherever you get your podcasts!

https://lnkd.in/gt-DRJRx

Amethyst Digital

10/13/2026

The OAWA team recently attended the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA) Future Built 2026 Conference in Whistler, BC, where our Executive Director, Lori LeDrew, and Kelly Pearce, Red Seal Plumber with the The Built Collective NL, presented on the Built Collective model.

They shared how this all-female residential construction crew is creating opportunities for women in the skilled trades and gave conference attendees a closer look at what this model can make possible.

One of the biggest benefits of attending a national conference is hearing what’s happening elsewhere, learning from what’s working, and bringing those ideas back to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum for bringing the apprenticeship community together!

10/06/2026

09/30/2026

September 30 | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

OAWA’s office will be closed on September 30 as we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

We encourage our community to take time to listen, learn and reflect as we honour Survivors and remember the children who never returned home.

🧡 Every Child Matters.

09/25/2026

As Gender Equality Week winds down, we’re grateful for opportunities to bring the conversation about women in skilled trades to new audiences.

Last week, Leigh joined the Hulk Caesar Show to talk about OAWA, our work, and how we’re creating more opportunities for women in the skilled trades.

Allyship can take many forms. Sometimes, it’s as simple as helping important conversations reach a new audience.

Huge thanks to Hulk for inviting Leigh on the podcast and for helping bring more attention to the work OAWA is doing. 💙

Check it out! ⬇

https://youtu.be/66_5_gSpvJY?si=qO30CBoulwD4G3xt