The Ontario Construction Report – February 2009 – PAGE OCR A3
Women have WISE support in their quest
for science and engineering careers
available for you.’” WISE developed educational events for el- in the workforce,” adds WISE secretary
JOHNATHAN MONK
– The OCR Construction Report
WISE was formed as an organization to ementary and secondary school students.  Darla Stoddart, P.Eng. “It’s very rewarding
help support women in these fields and to Today, WISE Sudbury is a thriving or- that way to be a part of that.”
Throughout the years, careers in the encourage the pursuit of these types of ca- ganization that provides quality educational WISE is funded through donations and
areas of science, engineering, trades and reers by women, adds vice president Celeste events in the Sudbury Region and was re- grants received from agencies and compa-
technology have always been dominated by Dugas. cently recognized for their work when they nies throughout the Sudbury community
men. That is until women got WISE. “Positions in these types of careers can won the 2008 Community Builder’s Award such as Vale Inco, PEO, Bestech, IBM,
WISE Sudbury, or Women in Science be extremely rewarding,” says Dugas, “and in the category of Education. SMTAB, AMEC, Hatch, Golder, Itasca, and
and Engineering, is a not-for-profit organi- it is important for women to realize that The WISE women hold several events Sudbury Credit Union.
zation made up of volunteers whose man- these opportunities exist and that women each year to encourage girls (and boys) to “We also receive funding through our
date is to encourage young women to just like them are currently employed in consider SETT careers (science, engineer- fundraising activities and a small amount is
consider careers in these fields and to in- these types of fields.” ing, trades or technologies). collected through our annual membership
form Sudburians about opportunities for and It’s also important, she says, to have both In the fall, before teens fill out their ap- fees,” says Dugas.
contributions by women in these areas. genders represented in all types of profes- plications for university, WISE holds an en- “We’re very fortunate in that regard,”
Although there’s been a marked increase sions. gineering information night for male and adds Nyabeze. “We have amazing commu-
in female involvement in science and engi- In 1998, Lionel Rudd, Samantha Espley female students in Grades 11 and 12 and nity support. The sponsors see what we can
neering since its inception in the Sudbury P.Eng and Dr. Louise Laverdure recognized their parents. do for the community and they’re com-
area about 10 years ago, WISE still acts to the need to start a local chapter of WISE. To “Part of the reason we included (both) pletely supportive.
provide support and networking opportuni- this end, they planned a job-shadowing boys and girls in high school is we think it’s “We want all of our events accessible and
ties to interested women. event for female students which was held in important for them to see both women and free. We don’t charge for events and we
“What we’re trying to do here through December of that year with over 70 students men working together as engineers,” says don’t want any barriers for kids who want
WISE,” says president Theresa Nyabeze, participating. With generous support from Christina Visser, P.Eng., founding president to come out.”
P.Eng, “is to say to women, ‘if it’s some- Laurentian University and the Sudbury of the Sudbury WISE. Although already thriving, Dugas hopes
thing you like, we want you to recognize it’s chapter of Professional Engineers Ontario, For the past nine years, WISE has also for bigger and better things for WISE.
hosted a Science and Engineering Olympics “We would like to see WISE continue to
for girls in Grades four to seven. This is a grow and act as a support mechanism for the
Publisher’s
fun day for 120 girls to learn about engi- needs of scientists and engineers, both stu-
viewpoint
neering and science by competing as teams dents and professionals,” Dugas says. “I be-
in hands-on activities. lieve it’s an important and worthwhile
“The Olympics are a great resource for organization.”
By Mark Buckshon, Publisher, Construction News and Report Group of Companies
students to become acquainted with people
Some business issues are fundamental. tailed coverage in the April issue, but I
You need to have enough work to prof- truly appreciate the hundreds of people Association provides women
itably support your enterprise, and you who took the time to vote electronically
need, when you complete your work, to for their favourite companies in 15 cate-
be paid in a timely manner
with information and support
. Businesses gories. The Readers’ Choice Awards are
can suffer from lack of sales, but they truly democratic: You don’t need to pay a
women as they try to enter
generally fail when they are not paid. fee to be nominated, and there is no cost
MATTHEW DESROSIERS – The OCR Construction Report
the still male-dominated in-
(If you see your sales declining, you for voting. In turn, for your participation,
As it became more and include the construction dustry.
can often shrink your costs in a timely you receive recognition, both within your
more apparent that the site tour of the Art Gallery “It’s amazing still that
manner to remain solvent; but if you are own community and around the province.
fairer sex does, in fact, have of Ontario, sustainability at people have an attitude to-
budgeting on payment for work com-
a place in the construction the Humber Arboretum, wards that,” she said.
pleted, and don’t receive your money, you
dash2
industry, the Canadian As- and an installation demon- “Women in construction
are in deep trouble.)
sociation of Women in stration at DAL come up against that in the Tile. What
This is why we have taken the issue of We are continuing to grow. Rich Lud-
Construction (CAWIC) was makes the association field as well with their male
payment problems for some Ontario Re- low will soon join us, serving the central
formed to provide support unique is that, unlike many colleagues. That’s another
alty Corporation projects seriously. Re- Ontario region from his home base near
and information for professional associations, thing we provide our mem-
gardless of the story’s outcome (which is Kingston. Meanwhile, I am rediscovering
women. “CAWIC represents the bers, is increased networks
positive), industry associations like the the Washington, D.C. area as we prepare to
“It provides a good peer complete spectrum of con- and confidence.”
Barrie Construction Association and the re-open our publication in the U.S. capital
group for women within the struction,” said Wadsworth. The association is aware
Ontario General Contractors Association, city region. As well, while we aren’t shout-
construction industry to get “What our members re- there are still issues that
and publications like ours, have an im- ing the news from the rooftops as the sites
together and talk about ally appreciate is they can face women in construc-
portant public service role to the industry still need some work, you will find the web-
what they’re doing,” said learn about broader issues tion, such as unfair pay in
in these issues. Individual contractors and sites for the various publications in our net-
Debbie Wadsworth, within the industry,” she relation to male counter-
suppliers, rightfully, may be afraid of ret- work are now live. For example, you can
CAWIC president. said. “(These are) things parts, and they are focused
ribution or denied future work if they visit ottawaconstructionnews.com, gtacon-
The association was in- that they would never come on advocacy, education and
complain directly. We don’t have the structionreport.com, northernontariocon-
corporated in October up against in their own support.
same fears, so we can aggregate the com- structionnews.com, and ontario construc -
2005, however, it began in jobs, or seminars in their “We’re not about polar-
plaints and relate them to the right people. tionreport.com.
1982 as a chapter of the own professional associa- izing men and women,”
I’m happy that ORC has heard – and re-
US-based National Associ- tions.” said Wadsworth. “It’s more
sponded – to your concerns. Mark Buckshon is president of the
ation of Women in Con- The association also to create an environment
Construction News and Report Group of
struction. provides bursaries to post where people can learn
dash2
Companies. He can be reached by email
They hold monthly gen- secondary school female more about their industry
at buckshon@cnrgp.com and writes the
eral meetings, which often students in construction re- and discuss different things
Congratulations to winners of the On- Construction Marketing Ideas blog, up-
include building tours or lated programs. Each year, that are happening, and
tario Construction Report Readers’ dated daily, at http://www.construction-
seminars from someone in up to three recipients are sometimes problem solve
Choice Awards. We’ll provide more de- marketingideas.blogspot.com.
construction or career de- chosen for the award. The
velopment. Recent events program helps support
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