Solar Sister Entrepreneur Program
Women of Renewable and Sustainable Energy (WRISE)
While empowerment is progressing in the Renewable Energy sector there’s still more work to be done. For example, in 2018 women only accounted for (10%) of executives in the top 20 energy companies in the Fortune Global 500. Meanwhile, half of these 20 companies have no women on their executive teams. WRISE promotes female education, development, and advancement to achieve a strong diversified workforce in the renewable energy sector. It also supports a powerful renewable energy economy. Starting as a creative idea in the minds of three women, WRISE has grown organically and internationally across Canada and the U.S.. Launched in the Spring of 2005, WRISE has grown and prospered over the years; from a strong foundation in the wind sector to a strong force across the entire energy segment. It’s changing the industry by building the community, improving education, and cultivating leadership. It also encourages members to speak out and stand up for others. Women in Mining at Mthandazo Women in Mining Centre (Colleen Brawn).
Plaza Construction in New York City
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, when it comes to wages, the American construction industry is more progressive than most other countries. Women generally make 80% of what men in the country earn. However, in construction, this is much closer at 91.3%. The problem is getting them to join the construction workforce and empowering women, of which they only account for 9% and 7% in New York City in 2017. Plaza Construction, a New York City-based company, recently replaced its “Men at Work” signs at site entrances with more inclusive ones. These “inclusive” signs now read “Men & Women at Work.” These diamond shaped signs are not only catching the eye of men but also women interested in the industry. The signs help combat the stigma faced by current women working in construction, says the company’s CEO. He also says that it encourages women to enter the industry by forming gender neutrality in the working environment. Women working for Plaza are also more commonly accepted by their male counterparts.Women in Mining Coalition/Women in Mining Canada
A 2015 study by Women in Mining UK, found that the global mining industry has a worse record of women on boards than any other industry. In fact, women occupy only 8% of all board seats owned by the 100 top mining companies, with only four females executive directors in the entire group. The field workforce isn’t much better. Women make up only 13% of the US mining industry and 17% in Canada. Organizations like the Women in Mining Coalition (WMC) and Women in Mining Canada (WIM) help ensure that female-oriented initiatives and programs are in place to help women empowerment by helping them make a mark in the industry’s workforce. A nonprofit organization formed in 2009, WIM concentrates on the interests of women in mineral exploration in Canada’s mining segment. In 2014, WIM Canada developed a National Action Plan designed to attract and retain women in the skilled trades and senior executive positions, along with help from a grant provided by the Status of Women Canada organization. This plan focuses on empowering women by placing them in senior executive roles and non-traditional occupations that include the trades, heavy equipment operators, miners, and engineers. These are just a few examples of the many activities taking place worldwide to support women in the heavy industries, benefiting both women and company. For women, it can provide them with more control over their own lives, boosting independence and releasing them to make their own schedules and learn new skills. For businesses, empowering women increases profits by the opening or an increase of markets, improving productivity, while enhancing collaborative action and teamwork within the company. Most importantly, female empowerment boosts corporate growth. Companies that invest in it recognize significant corporate benefits. In other words, empowering women is not only a game-changer for women but also the companies and industry sectors which promote it.