Betty Lau

Women in Construction making a name for themselves!

These days women are getting an equal chance at getting into construction jobs. Young women are being encouraged enter into apprenticeship in many previously male dominated fields. The construction industry in particular suffers from a lack of skilled trades workers. 

Betty Cadotte of All Women Contractors has found a niche for herself that really fits, is energizing and as she puts it, “Gets me out in the fresh air working and making a good living.” Betty founded AWC and hires and venture partners with other women in the industry.

“There is a change in people’s attitudes about women on the workplace now. We are capable and strong women, we even have pink hard hats, we are so proud of what we are accomplishing.  Even the men have become mentors and role models, we work hand in hand. We can handle it all,”  says Betty.

By giving women contractors a place in her business Betty herself acts as a mentor to women beginning to find a niche for themselves. “We don’t have to hide or appologize anymore, I’m promoting women because I believe we can make a difference.”

At AWC women find peer support in the trades, and support each other with positive attitudes and re-inforcement. Besides, many women love when we come and work on their homes, we listen and we understand how important a home is to a woman. We even make sure we wear booties over our workboots in sensitive areas as needed.

Betty is a good corporate citizen and has teamed up with other women in the construction and trades to help with Habitat for Humanity.

• The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, spoke in Toronto, Ontario, on April 23, 2009 to members of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction about how Canada’s Economic Action Plan is investing in skills training and social housing construction.
• “The construction industry in Canada represents significant career and business opportunities for women in a variety of trade, technical and professional fields. In the recent past, there has been an increase in the number of women working in the construction trades. From 2001 to 2006, the number of women completing their apprenticeship training in the construction trades increased by 59 per cent. Encouraging apprenticeships is part of the Government’s strategy to ensure that Canada has the highly skilled and mobile workforce the country needs.”
    
  Today, Betty is helping others like herself in building futures for themselves in the trades.

Betty Cadotte of AWC and  Nicky Lehwald of BNC Designs recently donned their pink hard hats to donate their time and skills for needy families through Habitat for Humanity.

"We're both women in construction, we felt being on the show was a perfect link to the Habitat for Humanity Toronto's Women Build Blitz

Betty and  Nicky Lehwald of BNC Designs and were featured recently on Small Business Big Ideas show which airs on Sunday mornings on 107.7 FM. & 1580 CKDO and airs in the Durham area. The radio program was produced by the Durham Home & Small Business Association of which Betty & Nicky are are members. 

So if you need a little help around the house, for Carpentry, Drywall Installation and Repair, Electrical work, building Fences, Decks, & Gates, laying Flooring (Laminate, Tiles or Wood), Landscaping, Hedge & Lawn Cutting & Trimming, Home Staging, Décor & Color Consultations, Installations of all sorts, Painting (Interior & Exterior), Plumbing, installing Tiling for backsplashes, Repairs, Scrap Metal Pick up (free in GTA east),  spring or fall clean-ups, or for any Renovations, think of Betty and her crew at AWC!

You will be pleasantly surprised with the quality of service, the professionalism and the care you will receive.

Call or email now:  Phone: 416.843.2927    Email All Women Contractors

All Women Contractors Website

Article and photographs: Trina Astor-Stewart