The Skills for Success Youth Assembly Members Reflect on Women Breaking Barriers in Trades
At the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) 2025, in Regina, students from across the country gathered to showcase their talents in Canada’s largest skilled trade and technology competition. What stood out the most to us was the powerful presence of women in trades which are traditionally dominated by men. As we walked through the buzzing competition floor, we were struck by the number of female competitors making their mark in Skill Areas such as Autobody Repair, Welding, and Carpentry. In nearly every Skill Area, at least one woman proudly represented her province or territory. With over 550 competitors and approximately 6,000 youth touring the event, SCNC continues to play a critical role in breaking down gender barriers, challenging stereotypes, and inspiring the next generation of women to see themselves in the trades.
Skills/Compétences Canada (SCC) and its partners have made it clear: inclusion matters. With a dedicated “Empowering Women in Trades” space, mentorship opportunities, and guest talks led by female industry leaders, the competition showcases pathways that many students may not have previously considered, helping them envision themselves in careers that are still often underrepresented by women.
One of our group members, Giovanna, a Skills Canada National Competition 2024 competitor in Carpentry shared how powerful it is to witness growing female participation. “As a woman in the trades, it can be intimidating being in a male-dominated space, but the more I got involved in Carpentry, the more I realize the support around me” she said. For young women considering a trade, her advice is clear: “Never doubt yourself. People might underestimate you—but prove from day one that you belong. If this is what you want, don’t let anyone stop you.”
During an interview with National Technical Committee (NTC) member Ronda Frigault, she shared with us her experiences in the skilled trades. Frigault is a Red Seal certified plumber from Nova Scotia who has been in the field for 26 years. In addition, she is a plumbing instructor at the Nova Scotia Community College, and the only female NTC member in Plumbing at SCNC Regina 2025. Ronda shared that “One of the coolest things about being a woman in the trades is that I’m able to do all the work myself. When I decided to get into the trades, one of the things I wanted to do was to be able to fix my own toilet or renovate my own bathroom. That’s one of the skills I’ve had the opportunity to learn, and I love being able to do that.”
Seeing more women at the Skills Canada National Competition isn’t just exciting — it’s meaningful. It shows that things are changing, and that skilled trades are becoming a space where everyone can belong. From trailblazers like Ronda to passionate competitors like Giovanna, these women are proving that talent, drive, and determination have no gender. You could feel it walking through the competition floor — the energy, the pride, and the sense that something important is happening. For the young girls visiting, maybe for the first time thinking – could I do this? — the answer is yes! The future of trades is brighter, stronger, and more inclusive because of the women stepping up today.
Contributed by: Lubna Ismail, Giovanna Caputo, Mia Makhlouf, and Olive Lopes.
