About this Event
The 2026 WiSTAN Symposium will bring together women working in skilled trades, advocacy organizations, industry partners and other stakeholders committed to creating safer and more inclusive workplaces.
Throughout the day, participants will hear directly from tradeswomen sharing their lived experience, explore psychological safety and workplace culture, identify what supports and barriers exist across the trades journey, and contribute ideas for practical action.
This is not simply a day of conversation. It is a strategic connection point, bridging lived experience with the organizations and systems that drive change. Come ready to strengthen relationships, identify gaps, and shape what comes next for WiSTAN and the broader skilled-trades community.
What to Expect:
- First-voice conversations with a diverse group of tradeswomen
- Exploration of psychological safety, belonging and workplace culture
- An interactive Living Wall mapping the skilled trades journey, including existing supports, gaps and opportunities
- Opportunities to connect across industry, community, training and apprenticeship systems
- Collaborative discussion focused on practical actions and next steps
The WiSTAN Living Wall will be an interactive mapping activity where participants can identify programs, supports, barriers, gaps and opportunities across the skilled trades journey. Your input will help shape future WiSTAN priorities and strengthen connections between people, programs, and organizations.
Who Should Attend?
- Tradeswomen in all their diversity
- Employers, unions, training & apprenticeship providers
- Community organizations, educators, government and industry associations
And all others committed to improving workplace culture in the skilled trades!
Have questions? Reach out to [email protected]
Facilitated by Rachel Derrah ()
A multifaceted social innovator, facilitator, and graphic recorder. With deep listening and co-creation at the core, Rachel supports clients with strategic processes to have challenging conversations and propel visions forward.
Agenda
Registration & Networking
Opening & Tradeswomen Talk
Psychological Safety
Lunch
Living Wall
Collaborative Sessions
Commitments & Closing
Event venue & nearby stays
54 Locks Rd, 54 Locks Road, Dartmouth, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.