Women in the Alberta Workforce

Much progress has been made concerning the employment of women in Alberta, they have been employed in all sectors within the Province.

Nevertheless, the women still suffer from special barriers that can prevent them from building their careers. It is recommended that because of these barriers women need to find ways of coping with the challenges that break their career chances for them to be effective when competing for higher positions.

This article aims at discussing the prospects and threats for women in the economy of Alberta as all bureaucratic employment options are considered, as well as various resources such as women support groups, mentorship, and women role models focus.

1. Introduction

Over the years, the degree of participation of females in the workforce in Alberta has gone up and many women are now practicing in various sectors such as; healthcare, education, finance and technology among others. However, a lot of gaps which prevent women from progressing in their careers are still present and active today. Realisation of these factors and optimal utilisation of these resources are effectively helpful for women to overcome all those hurdles towards career prospects. This guide provides information and resources related to women’s workplace experiences in the province of Alberta.

2. Key Challenges for Women in Alberta’s Workforce

While Alberta has made progress toward gender equality, several challenges still affect women’s experience in the workforce:

Gender Pay Gap: There, as in most other areas of the world, the gender pay gap continues to be a problem in Alberta. The study highlighted that women reserved lower that men despite having same or even better qualifications and post.

Underrepresentation in Leadership: Among the professions and businesses studied in Alberta, women are scarce in leadership and executive positions. Such missing a voice in decision-making positions tends to create a constraint to other women in moving up within organizational structures.

Work-Life Balance: One of the biggest issues that affect women as they fight for their careers and their families is career and family conflict. Because the availability of affordable childcare services and family support programs is very sparse combining work and family becomes difficult particularly for women in Alberta.

Workplace Discrimination: SADC has found out that despite the change in the constitution aspects of gender bias and discrimination are still part of some offices to the detriment of women. Obstacles that women face are for instance limited opportunities, sexual harassment and gender stereotype at the workplace.

3. Opportunities and Resources for Empowerment

Nonetheless, there is a bunch of opportunities in Alberta and resources that are provided to women for successful career realization. Here are some options available to empower women in the workforce:

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE): The role of AWE is to fund, coach, and connect women entrepreneurs in Alberta. It provides basic business training and support; practical training; new enterprise start-up; and business publications for women.

Government Programs and Grants: The Alberta government develops different programs and grants to help women become involved into the economy. Such measures are provision of funds for skills development, funding for business start up and expansion and funding for gender equity at the work place.

Professional Associations: Possible ways with which women can benefit include being members of professional organizations like Women in Technology, Women in Mining, and Women in Trades.

4. Mentorship Programs for Career Development

Mentorship is a very effective form of development for a person and Alberta has several programs of mentorship for women. These programs involve pairing women with working professionals in their fields of interest who can offer the women wisdom, counsel and information on how to progress in their careers.

Women’s Executive Network (WXN): WXN provides a mentorship program meant to assist women to take leadership positions in the company. WXN supports women’s profession development and offers important tools and information via effective networks of successful women leaders.

YWCA Mentorship Programs: YWCA Calgary offers leadership and career opportunities in career paths including a professional career and an executive career. These programs cover areas of skill development, self-esteem, and connection with other women, to either enter new employment or progress in a career.

Canada Learning Code: If women desire to pursue technology and digital skill needs of Canada Learning Code helps with workshops and mentors. These programs are centred on such courses as computer programming, Web design and other technical courses which empower women for technology jobs.

5. Support Networks for Women in Alberta

Women in Alberta’s workforce should be able to build a good support system as they go about work. YWCA provide women with opportunity to share experiences, get practical information and be motivated to achieve their career aspirations.

Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS): ACWS is a women’s organization that focuses on the fight for women rights and provision of support to women who life with issues such as women abuse. This is because through its programs, the ACWS prepares woman to stand on their own and also reintroduced back to working environment.

Lean In Circles: While the Lean In Circle is a small group of women who come together with the aim to share their goals and challenges, and help each other to succeed in their endeavours. These circles help women to develop skills, make new friends and find opportunities for cooperation in common interest groups.

Women’s Organizations in Alberta: Many women organizations in Alberta are established that aims at empowering women, organizations like Women’s Centre of Calgary and Women Building Futures involve offering services in skills development, training and financial management for women.

6. Inspiring Success Stories

With increased job opportunities for women in Alberta many female individuals have transcended these barriers to branching unusual success in their careers. People can possibly replicate those experiences for their own purpose of encouraging them to continue striving towards their dreams.

Muriel Stanley Venne: Having established the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, Muriel Stanley Venne was fighting all her life for Indigenous women in Alberta. Through her work she has encouraged so many transform into leaders and fight for women’s rights.

Diana Frost: Diana frost, the founder of Colouring it forward which is a social enterprises that promotes indigenous art, colouring forward creates market for indigenous art and more so has empowered many Indigenous artists and women to embrace entrepreneurship.

Lisa Shepherd: Lisa Shepherd is an award-winning Métis artist and entrepreneur winning the Manitoba Aboriginal Arts Award for Métis Art in the visual arts category in 2009 and focuses on sharing and promoting Métis culture and empowering Aboriginal women. Quite evidently her case is a testimony to the value of creativity and resilience while charting out a fruitful career.

7. Conclusion

Promoting full participation of women in the economy of Alberta are various issues such as wages and compensation, availability of childcare services and women in management. By helping women find a mentor, friends, and useful resources, women in Alberta can face challenges identified and become successful professionals. Through use of accessible programs, nurturing support networks and role models of success, women within Alberta can ensure that they compete and secure their place within the market place.