Montreal, October 1st 2025 – Les Elles de la construction, an organization which supports the role of women in a sector mainly represented by men, announces the launch of a modern initiative which also marks a new milestone: the F.I.C. (Women, Integration, Construction) program. Designed to provide access to professions and foster career development within the sector, the F.I.C. program seeks to integrate women workers in five Red Seal trades that are strongly in demand in Quebec. The Red Seal program, supported by Employment and Social Development Canada, focuses on specialized trades and apprenticeships, entirely developed in accordance with national standards.
Funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy
Increasing integration
Women are gradually gaining ground in the construction industry: according to a study published in March 2025 by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ), women represent 4% of the current workforce and 10% of those wishing to pursue a career in this field. In a context where demand is massive, this helps address the labour shortage affecting the construction sector. This evolution in the commitment of women is supported by organizations such as Les Elles de la construction, which has been working on their integration within the industry for several years now. Thus, the launch of the F.I.C. initiative is a new step in this process. Registrations for this Quebec-based program, which is offered entirely in French, can be completed online at www.programmeFIC.com.
A community to be built
“For a long time, I have been dreaming of a project offering a unique and tailored approach that supports the integration of working women in the industry, and I am confident that the F.I.C. program will serve as a starting point for future phases”, stated Stéphanie Lévesque, general contractor, experienced instructor, and manager of the F.I.C. project developed by Les Elles de la construction. “My goal is to support the first participants, listen to them, and build a strong community. With the true challenge being job retention, the program’s various components will enable real-time monitoring as well as an immersion in their daily realities. Our aim is the successful integration of women across Quebec, with the hope of creating a supportive and collaborative sisterhood. This is the structure that we want to build, together with the men and women of the industry.”
“The awarding of this program marks a decisive step for Les Elles de la construction, added Crystelle Cormier, the organization’s new Executive Director. “This is an opportunity to strengthen our role, and beyond the initial funding, our vision is clear: transform this certification into a lever for attracting a new pool of women, as well as a driver for raising awareness among employers in order to improve the conditions that will encourage women to build their careers within the industry. With a strong team and the arrival of Stéphanie Lévesque, a passionate and deeply committed woman, I am convinced that this project will have an impact far beyond its implementation and will leave a positive and lasting mark on our industry.”
Promoting gender equity and productivity
The F.I.C. initiative is funded in part by the Government of Canada through its Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy - Women in the Skilled Trades Initiatives, with one of its objectives being the promotion of gender equity for skilled and productive labour within various key sectors.
“A strong Canada relies on a qualified workforce in skilled trades”, indicated Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families. “This is why the Government of Canada is investing nearly $1 billion to support students learning a trade. Working with organizations such as Les Elles de la construction, through its new F.I.C. program, is another way for the Government of Canada to create hundreds of thousands of good jobs in skilled trades.”
Solid foundations for successful integrations
To support integration that is complete, sustainable, and adapted to the realities on the ground, Les Elles de la construction’s F.I.C. program incorporates several structural components that are designed to support participants throughout their learning process. Among the highlights:
ESSI certification
Construction industry companies will be able to obtain an ESSI (Sound, Safe and Inclusive Environment) certification. This certification process will include a series of targeted training courses, enabling construction site teams to master the procedures and practical solutions required to address health, safety, and inclusion issues within the workplace.
Health and safety
In collaboration with an ergonomist and a kinesiologist, these training courses will improve the understanding and analysis of repetitive movements, thus making it possible to determine and develop the best methods to implement in order to prevent occupational injuries. This approach aims to identify actions that are to be avoided directly at the source, for the benefit of all workers.
Through the F.I.C. program and its other initiatives, Les Elles de la construction continues to work toward an environment which increasingly promotes gender equity, and where more and more women can pursue long-term, professional careers at all levels of this industry thanks to their diverse learning, training, skills, expertise, and experience.
About Les Elles de la construction
Founded in 2010, Les Elles de la construction represents and supports women in the construction industry, promoting gender equality and women entrepreneurship while encouraging constructive collaboration between all sector stakeholders. Les Elles de la construction collaborates with men in order to change mindsets and implement solutions which promote work that is harmonious, respectful of differences, as well as complementary, thus supporting Quebec’s economic growth.
About the Red Seal program
Tradespeople are vital to Canada’s economy. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) works with provinces and territories to deliver the Red Seal Program. Working directly with members of the skilled trades industry, they develop the standards and exams required to obtain the Red Seal designation, which is proof that the learner meets the national standards of their trade.
