Women looking for stable, high income employment need look no further than a career in the trades. Unfortunately, for a sector offering such a wide variety of career options, the percentage of women currently employed in the trades remains low – women only make up about 5% of the skilled trades workforce.
With a growing need for tradespeople, more women than ever are picking up their toolbelts and pursuing employment in the trades – and along with that, membership in such organizations as the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1687. Chartered in 1951, in Sudbury, Ontario, IBEW Local 1687 represents 700 members across Northeastern Ontario, including a growing number of women, that work in all aspects of the electrical trade.
Take Amy Luczak, for example. As the daughter of an electrician, Amy was exposed to the electrical trade at a young age. After taking an aptitude test in Grade 11 that indicated that an electrical career might be a good fit, Luczak enrolled in a two-year college electrical tech program before eventually joining IBEW Local 1687.
“I did my apprenticeship through the IBEW,” said Luczak. “You don’t realize how much more there is to this trade than just pulling cable. You have the opportunity to build all kinds of things. You’re constantly moving and learning. Even today on projects some guys say they’re doing things they’ve never seen before and they’re almost at retirement. This field is constantly evolving.”
As a skilled journeyperson electrician, Luczak is currently working for S&T helping to build Algoma Steel’s new Electric Arc Furnace project. Working on such large projects is just one of the many perks Luczak says she enjoys as a member of IBEW Local 1687.
“I didn’t realize how big the IBEW was before I got in,” she said. “The salary and the benefits are definitely a perk. I just honestly like the fact that I get to meet all kinds of people from all walks of life. I was fortunate in my apprenticeship that the union sent me to Washington DC to a women’s conference for the IBEW. I met 600 other women in the trade doing the same thing I did. That was cool.”
When it comes to advice to other young women, Luczak said she highly recommends both an electrical trade career and membership with IBEW Local 1687.
“The trades are always in high demand,” she said. “If you’re someone like me who couldn’t see herself at a desk, someone who likes to move around, to learn new things, to build stuff and work with your hands, and to meet people along the way, I certainly recommend it. The union is constantly sending us for training. And they’re paying for it all, which is nice.”
Nadine Ouellette is another journeyperson electrician who first got attracted to the trade in high school, choosing it over a career in accounting. After completing a one-year college program in North Bay, Ouellette got an electrical apprenticeship with a small company focused on residential electrical service. Her work eventually led her to join IBEW Local 1687.
“There are lots of opportunities with our union hall,” said Ouellette. “Lots of people take additional training. After I finished my apprenticeship, I continued as a journeyperson electrician with multiple companies. Once you finish a job you get dispatched to another company, so it never feels like you’re out of work.”
In recent years, Ouellette has been involved with IBEW Local 1687 in various levels of responsibility, including serving on the executive board. Although she has enjoyed all aspects of her time as a member of IBEW Local 1687, it’s the sense of accomplishment she feels on the job that makes her happy she’s chosen an electrical career over being an accountant.
“I like that you go to work and you work with your hands. You can see what you’re working on. You can go home at the end of the day and physically see what you did. That’s fulfilling. There’s a lot of security too. You have that trade ticket. You know you’re qualified for a position. You have real benefits and a pension. It takes a lot of the pressure off when you’re raising a family.”
Nikita Olar is a recent graduate of the apprenticeship program with IBEW Local 1687, earning her 309A Construction and Maintenance Electrician license. While she’s now working at a steel plant, her electrical career has included residential, commercial, and industrial work. Olar says she loves both the variety of jobs she gets to do but also the camaraderie she feels with her co-workers and fellow electricians.
“This work environment is awesome,” said Olar. “I love being in the trades with all the guys. I’ve always worked in a male dominated environment. Coming here was no different than previous workplaces. You have to prove your work ability. I find all the guys are understanding. I’m not as tall or strong as them, but we compensate and work together. It’s very easy working here.”
If you are a licensed electrician, powerline technician, NCS technician, or a contractor that is interested in joining the IBEW, or someone interested in an apprenticeship, please contact our Market Development Representative; Yan Gervais at 249-779-9877 or yan@ibew1687.org.