| |
 |
MISCONCEPTIONS & REALITIES...
|
|
| |
| |
There are many misconceptions about women working in male-dominated natural resource sectors. Then there are the realities. Here, we identify many of the most common misconceptions, and provide facts on the reality of the situation.
If you have a question or concern that is not addressed in the following, please let us know.
We'll get you an answer, and if we don't know it, we'll help find it.
Click on the information below to read some of the common misconceptions vs. realities.
|
|
Trades in the natural resource sector are only for men. |
| |
It is true that trades occupations in the natural resource sector are male-dominated, but they are NOT male only. Women can train for these positions on equal par with men. Occupations in this field are in high demand within Newfoundland and Labrador, and the pay is much higher than work in sectors which have traditionally been female-dominated. If you are seeking work that is personally and financially rewarding, you should consider this area as a possibility.
|
|
You have to have a lot of experience with engines and the like to get into a trade or a technology area, and women aren't usually handy with tools and things. |
| |
Just because a woman hasn't had the opportunity to tinker with tools and engines yet, it doesn't mean that she won't in the future. Growing up, girls are often excluded from mechanical things. Once they have had the opportunity to explore and experiment, they are quite comfortable and more than capable. Providing this "hands-on" experience is the intent of the Orientation to Trades and Technology program which WRDC sponsors.
|
|
I've never done anything like this. There are no opportunities for me. |
| |
Figuring out if you are "right" for a particular occupation requires knowing yourself (self -assessment). Although self-assessment is not an exact science, it is useful and there are many tools created to help you. WRDC's Orientation to Trades and Technology program includes a self-assessment skills building section.
In addition, we've put together a list of websites that will help you on your path to self-assessment. In order to get the most out of the exercises contained in these sites, we suggest you use your findings as a starting point for discussions with friends, family or a professional career counselor.
Service Canada Job Bank
A guide to finding work from the Government of Canada.
JobHuntersBible.com
Self assessment resources from Richard Bolles, author of the perennial best seller "What Colour Is Your Parachute".
Kiersey.com
This site allows you to complete a personality test online.
|
|
To work in trades, I'd be dressed in coveralls or a survival suit all day. That doesn't seem very feminine to me - I was never much of a tom-boy! |
| |
Each person's idea of what is feminine is different, yours included, and appearance is an important part of our self-image. If this is one of the most important considerations of which type of work you choose, then it may not be for you. It is not for everybody.
|
|
I'll be the only woman on the job. |
| |
Being one of the few women (probably not the only one though) on a male-dominated work site will probably be a fact of life for a while. Most of these sectors have around 8% women employed. The following statistics from Statistics Canada show the numbers:
| Detail |
Women |
Men |
| Number of people working in Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations in Newfoundland and Labrador |
1,405
(4%) |
38,065
(88%) |
| Number of people working in Occupations unique to primary industry in Newfoundland and Labrador |
1,945
(12%) |
14,710
(88%) |
|
|
You have to be 6 feet tall and 200 lbs to do most of this - I don't consider myself physically that strong. |
| |
Actually, you may be surprised. Today, most jobs are mechanically aided. While some men may certainly be bigger and stronger, aren't necessarily in their occupation because of their strength.
The Newfoundland Safety Council holds a workshop to explore Trade Training called "Blinkers". They recommend a max load of 50-55 lbs for men and 40-45lbs for women (about the weight of your average two year old child).
The Newfoundland Safety Council also says that 1/3 of all back injuries occur from age 20-29, and 80% of those injured are men. The difference can be attributed to inexperience (most accidents happen between 20 & 29 years of age) and men are more likely to lift more than they should. Women, in general, plan their work carefully and seem to take more precautions.
|
|
I'd have to go to school for years and years to get a job in trades and technology sector. |
| |
Probably not for years and years, but most of the jobs in the natural resource sectors require some formal training. It could range from specific trade skills, to knowledge about the sector to safety training. There are many places to find this information. An excellent source is CanLearn Interactive. It has information on the educational requirements for each position, pay expected, what are the employment prospects, and where to get the required training. And yes, and it is completely Canadian.
|
|
The pay in male-dominated trades and technology jobs is not really that much better than in jobs traditionally done by women. |
| |
No matter which statistics you look at, male-dominated occupations pay more than female-dominated jobs. In a lot of cases, considerably more. The following statistics from Statistics Canada (www.statcan.ca) may help
| Detail |
Women |
Men |
| Average Salary over all occupations (1997 in Newfoundland and Labrador) |
$21,167
|
$33,185 |
|
|
I have children and I can't go on a rig for a month. Most of these jobs aren't great if you want to spend a lot of time with your kids. |
| |
It is a fact that many of these positions require you to be away from home for an extended period of time. But, the positive side is you are usually home for the same amount of time. For example, if you are on the rig for three weeks, you are then home for three weeks. Being away from home for long periods is a problem for both men and women, not just women, and we must choose knowing what is best for our own situations.
|
|
There is a lot of sexual harassment and the like on these sites where there are so few women, I don't want to the butt of a lot of sex jokes (or worse). |
| |
The short answer to your question, is yes! Encountering sexual harassment is a possibility, but it is also a possibility in a secretarial pool as well as on an offshore oil rig. Sexual harassment is a reflection of society's portrayal of women more than of a specific type of work. There is also the issue of gender harassment - harassment of women by men (or vice versa) based on gender, without sexual overtones or undertones.
Sexual harassment refers to all types of unwanted sexual attention. It includes pressure to provide sexual favours, and offensive, intimidating comments or actions concerning one's gender or sexual orientation. Harassment can occur in any situation, but is especially common in situations where there is a power imbalance between the perpetrator and the victim; whether it's due to gender, race, sexual orientation, status or rank differences. Harassment, however, can also occur between peers. According to statistics, anyone can be the target of sexual harassment, however women being harassed by men is the most frequent.
The good news is that the tolerance for sexual harassment is decreasing and the ways it can be dealt with are increasing. It is illegal under human rights legislation. It is illegal.
|
