At first glance, Manitoba Construction Sector Council (MCSC) looks like it’s all about bricks, beams, and blueprints. And sure, they’re champions of building Manitoba’s construction workforce. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find their real foundation is people, and their mission is helping them build better lives.

Nowhere is that clearer than in St. Theresa Point, MB, where MCSC’s latest training course for framing skills is turning hammers into hope.

“The idea to bring this course to our community stemmed from attending MCSC’s Women in Trades conference last year,” said Krystal Mason, St. Theresa Point’s program coordinator for the training course. “I brought two other women working in the trades with me, and we had a great experience. We found ourselves wishing we could provide an experience like that to more women back home.”

Though the community had hosted MCSC training courses in the past, there had never been a course just for women. So, Mason got to work to make that a reality. She connected with William Kirkness, MCSC’s Indigenous Liaison, rallied the community council, drafted a proposal, and found funding through Women and Gender Equity Manitoba, a Province of Manitoba initiative.

“We’re always ready to bring training to remote communities,” said Kirkness, who has helped launch similar programs across Manitoba. “When learners stay in their own community, they can focus without distractions and displacement. They’re learning and growing where they belong.”

The course begins with job readiness and safety training, then moves into hands-on framing skills where participants learn everything from how to use a tape measure and power tools to construction fundamentals.

Once the 20 participants finish their classroom work, they’ll put their skills to the test in the real world by helping to build a brand-new house in the community.

“Having these women with construction skills will give the community more workers who can take on renovations, opening up more experienced construction workers in the community to work on new builds and reducing the need for outside contractors” noted Kirkness. “The community can rely on their own people to meet local needs.”

And it’s not just about the nails and lumber. For many participants, this is a new beginning. Some women are learning construction for the first time, while others are earning credentials to unlock bigger opportunities. Regardless of their starting point, every graduate has already been promised a job in the community upon completing the course. 

“Women are the heart of our community,” said Mason. “We wanted to open doors for them to find fulfilling, meaningful work. Construction is special because you can see the difference you’re making every day, and others can see it too. We hope this inspires the next generation of women to build even higher.”

Though they signed up to learn framing, it’s clear that these women are building something much bigger: better futures for themselves, and a stronger community in St. Theresa Point. 

Learn more about how MCSC is working to empower women and Indigenous communities through construction training.