A heating and cooling company in Chatham-Kent is going above and beyond to try to attract more women to the trades.
Handy Bros. Home Comfort is currently hiring and training apprentices, but it is specifically looking to get more women into heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
"We have actually specifically put aside $130,000 for strictly women," said CEO Mitch White. "Obviously we're hiring lots of different people, but there's money set aside strictly for women because it's something that we want to see developed in our industry."
White said they have hired a couple of women in recent years who have done very well.
"We have a few of our girls inside who are very passionate about it. We ourselves have seen just great results from it and great success, so we want others to know that that is something that we want to grow and foster into the future," he said.
White added that they can teach anyone the tools, but a good attitude is most important qualification.
"We've taken them on, without any experience in the actual trade-specific industry, and they come on board and grasp it, and they've done very well," he said.
Anyone who is interested in learning more can also job shadow.
"If someone's very interested in it but they're not 100 per cent sure, we've had them do a couple days of ride-a-longs just to see," said White. "Or even meet with our girls and talk to them, they can share their own stories. They can say it much better than I can say it."
Anyone who is interested in applying can either drop off a resume in person at their office, or through their website at www.handybros.com.