EllisDon announced on October 31 that it has struck a partnership with Build a Dream, a Windsor-based non‐profit dedicated to building a more‐balanced workforce, to grow diversification in the construction industry.

It’s no secret that women are woefully underrepresented in construction. Statistics from BuildForce Canada show that women comprise only about 12 percent of construction’s total workforce. Of those who work in construction, most (76 percent) hold office support positions. The rate of women participation in the trades and on jobsites drops to about 4 percent.

Build a Dream aims to change those figures. The organization spotlights exciting career opportunities for women under such pillars as the skilled trades, STEM disciplines, emergency response, entrepreneurship, and advancing women in society. It helps deliver programming through career discovery expos, hands‐on camps and workshops, highlighting Dream Maker professionals, and providing keynotes, consultation, and Specialist High Skills Majors training.

"While we continue to work with post‐secondary institutions to attract people to our industry, we believe that our future pipeline relies on the work of organizations like Build A Dream,” said Kieran Hawe, EllisDon’s chief operating officer, and executive vice president, construction. “Exposing our youth to career opportunities that may not have been typically considered will help showcase the work that we do at EllisDon, and the meaningful careers that we provide to each other.”

As a corporate sponsor of Build a Dream, EllisDon has committed funds to assist the organization with their nationwide expansion plans. Build a Dream currently has operations in eight cities in Canada; it plans to expand to 12 by the end of next year. The two organizations connected last year after EllisDon employees attended a Build a Dream career discovery expo in London, Ontario that attracted hundreds of parents and their daughters.

“It’s not just about empowering young women, it’s also about filling the skills gap by tapping into the other 50 percent of the workforce,” said Nour Hachem‐Fawaz, president and founder of Build a Dream. “We sincerely appreciate EllisDon’s investment in our movement and believe that together we can help young women make informed career decisions, while encouraging companies to diversify and commit to inclusive workplaces.”

EllisDon’s commitment (and the connections that come along with the partnership) will allow Build a Dream to expand its movement while supporting industry in attracting the talent they need to support growth across various sectors.

“EllisDon is committed to inclusive diversity and will work together to create an environment where all of our employees can reach their full potential and individual differences are valued and respected," said Hawe. “This is a commitment that is made by everyone at EllisDon as it closely aligns with our core values of mutual accountability, respect and integrity.”

Learn more at wearebuildadream.com.