Leadership Development

MANUFACTURING EDITION

National Leadership Development Program

Many women apprentices and journeypersons have limited access to leadership training in areas such as self advocacy, public speaking, conflict resolution and mentoring.

The National Leadership Development Program was designed by skilled trades experts to help participants develop as leaders in the workplace.

If you are interested in the National Leadership Development Program for Women in Manufacturing Skilled trades cohort in February 2025 organized by Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium, please contact Susan at smclachlan@emccanada.org.

Please note: the February 2025 cohort is open to manufacturing trades only and registration will be processed through EMC. We’ll reopen to all trades in September 2025 and applications will return to CAF-FCA.

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BROCHURE

Program Overview

Participants in the National Leadership Development Program will be guided through five modules by subject matter experts, learning effective strategies and gaining practical tips to empower them as leaders in their workplaces and the broader skilled trades community. With improved skills in key areas, participants will gain the confidence to take on leadership roles on the job site and within their unions.

This program will provide women and gender diverse individuals an opportunity to gain experience in a supportive environment. By learning effective strategies and practical tips, participants will be empowered to become leaders.

Program Highlights

Subject matter experts deliver training on topics that support effective leadership. Participants are required to complete all five modules of the National Leadership Program for Women in the Skilled Trades.

An online learning management system allows for self-paced progress. A two-hour virtual group session is scheduled by your facilitator at the end of each module to clarify and discuss key issues.

The full program will take approximately 4 months to complete.

MODULE 1 :

LEADERSHIP

MODULE 2 :

COMMUNICATING WITH CONFIDENCE

MODULE 3 :

TEAMWORK AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

MODULE 4 :

SUPERVISORY SKILLS

MODULE 5 :

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Program Outcomes

The program provides tools and resources to help tradeswomen develop skills required to advance in their career. It offers an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and provides recognition within your industry.

Program graduates may find opportunities to use these new skills as:

Mentors
Supervisors or managers
Union stewards
Entrepreneurs
Skilled trades advocates

To be successful in this program, participants must complete the course work and assignments for each module. Active participation and keeping to course timelines are key.

The goal is that participants obtain leadership skills that employers will recognize.

CAF-FCA is committed to delivering engaging and purposeful content as participants develop leadership skills. CAF-FCA will support your learning journey in a way that is meaningful and helpful. We are committed to your success.

A Successful Journey

Each module should take an estimated six to eight hours per week to complete. Learning materials and content are provided through an online platform. Throughout the program, participants share ideas in discussion posts and journal entries. A facilitator and tradeswoman coach will be available to offer support and active participation is encouraged throughout. The program culminates in a final assignment based on all course content.

For more detailed information, please refer to our Participant Guide.

DOWNLOAD GUIDE

Women or gender diverse individuals in the final year of their apprenticeship or who are journeypersons may apply. We recognize the distinct barriers faced by women and gender-diverse people from multiple marginalized backgrounds in accessing this type of training. Those from diverse backgrounds (e.g., who are newcomers, identify as 2SLGBTQ+, have a disability, or who are Indigenous, or a person of colour) are especially encouraged to apply.