Conestoga news

March 8, 2022 11:38 AM

Bursary will support women in the skilled trades

In celebration of International Women’s Day, digital home renovation platform bidmii has announced the launch of an annual bursary supporting skilled trades training for women at Conestoga.

The bidmii Bursary for Women in Skilled Trades will award $1,000 per year over the next three years to help inspire and encourage women to start their careers in the skilled trades.

“Skilled trade workers are in high demand, and we want to ensure that women have opportunities to start their careers and achieve success in this well-compensated industry,” said Jon Christensen, bidmii CEO. “The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “Break The Bias” and we’re doing our part to increase the number of women in trades by launching this bursary and we encourage our peers in the renovations and construction industries to join us.”

The bursary will be awarded to a student registered in year two of a Conestoga construction skilled trades program, or a student who has completed a construction techniques program (either at Conestoga or another college) and is going into a one-year trades program at Conestoga. The successful recipient will be selected by Conestoga’s Financial Services office in consultation with faculty.

“We make renovations easy, and we want to make it easier for women to enter the trades and become part of the bidmii community,” added Christensen. “We look forward to a time, hopefully in the not-too-distant future, where we break the stereotypes and perception that women can’t work in construction trades and empower even more women to enter the industry.”

Bidmii International Inc. is a marketplace platform company based in Toronto. bidmii is designed to streamline the process of bidding and paying for home improvement jobs, making life easier for both homeowners and contractors.

Visit Conestoga’s School of Trades & Apprentice to learn more about skilled trades training for women.