OBCT

🛠️ In Order to Be It, You Gotta See It!

This week, we spoke with Elizaveta Dolgova as part of , a with IUPAT Local 1891! 👷‍♀️

Elizaveta originally knew nothing about Drywall Finishing because it isn't commonly done in her home country of Russia, where she was a Furniture Designer for 6 years. She explains, "After taking Esther’s STAR-4-Women program (YWCA) where we traveled a lot and explored different skilled trades, I realized I knew nothing about Drywall Finishing. I was curious what technology people use here to make “Canadian walls” flat and nice-looking after learning about drywall finishing in general. Also, I met my classmate Haysi at YWCA who told us about the Drywall Finishing program at IFSTC and she was the first one who graduated from IFSTC after YWCA and started working. She was my inspiration as well! Before taking Esther’s classes, I thought I would just do painting, to be honest, but when I learned about drywall finishing at YWCA, I thought painting would be too easy for me. I love learning more complicated things that challenge you and drywall finishing is something that you should learn step-by-step and remember theory before you start practicing." 💪

To other women interested in the , Elizaveta says, "You can do it and start preparing yourself physically now. If I started exercising at the gym earlier, it would be much easier for me to carry buckets with mud and put them on a scaffold. You have to understand that behind each woman’s smile in a skilled trade there is a real physical work, which is not for everyone, but be honest asking yourself if you can do it. If you think you can, you will love what you do, especially after seeing the results of your work and happy clients. Before joining the skilled trades, I’d like to tell you that teamwork and helping each other is valued more than unhealthy competition." ✨

Happy Women in Trade Day 2026! 🎉🏗️🌟

Today, we celebrate the women who are building, wiring, welding, operating, leading, and shaping the future of the world's skilled trades! 👷‍♀️

Your skill, determination, and leadership are helping break barriers and inspiring the next generation to see what's possible in the trades. ✨

On , we recognize your contributions and the impact you make on jobsites, in training halls, and throughout our communities every day. 💪

Tag a tradeswoman in the comments who deserves recognition today! 💜

🛠️ In Order to Be It, You Gotta See It!

This week, we caught up with Lea Jacobson as part of , a with UA Local 628! 🔥

Lea shared some career updates with us since we last spoke with her, saying, "I have recently become UA Local 628’s first ever journeywoman, and am still the only woman in the union hall to date. This is a huge milestone for myself and the union hall! Right now, I am working on a battery separator build in Southern Ontario (away from my home local), welding all stainless piping. I am so excited to continue my journey as a positive role model for young women, especially now as a Red Seal Welder, and hopefully encourage some more young ladies join Thunder Bay’s Local 628 some day soon!" 💪💖

Lea is also involved with the outside of her daily work, sharing, "I have participated in the past two years of the Jill of All Trades event as a mentor for young female students wanting to explore career opportunities in welding and the skilled trades! I sometimes speak with the young ladies who are enrolled in the Welding Techniques program at the college in Thunder Bay, providing them insights and a fresh perspective into what a life in the trades can mean for them. I thoroughly enjoy inspiring and empowering the next upcoming generation and I look forward to finding many more ways to do so in the future!" Keep inspiring Lea! 🙌