WMC launches new labour market study focused on women and gender-diverse perspectives in wood manufacturing.
The Wood Manufacturing Council (WMC) has received approval for a major new research initiative funded through Alberta’s Industry Workforce Partnerships Grant Program. The project, titled Workforce Inclusion in Alberta: A Labour Market Study on Women and Gender-Diverse Perspectives, represents a critical step toward understanding how equity, inclusion, and workforce participation intersect within Alberta’s advanced wood products manufacturing sector.
With funding of more than $240,00 from the Government of Alberta, this 18-month initiative will gather sector-specific labour-market data focused on women and gender-diverse individuals working in, or aspiring to enter, manufacturing careers.
Through surveys, interviews, and focus groups with both employees and employers, the project will explore barriers and opportunities across entry to mid-level roles such as cabinetmaking, carpentry, wood machining, and furniture finishing.
The study aims to address a persistent challenge: While Alberta’s manufacturing industry is projected to require more than 9,000 new workers by 2032, women currently make up less than 29 per cent of the workforce, and gender-diverse perspectives remain largely absent from existing labour-market data. Without intentional inclusion strategies, the province risks continuing to underutilize much of its potential workforce.
Partnership is central to this work. WMC will collaborate with organizations such as Women Building Futures, the Office to Advance Women Apprentices Alberta (OAWA-AB), the Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association (CKCA), AWMAC, and Alberta Forestry; each bringing deep roots in training, industry engagement, and advocacy.
These partners will assist in outreach, survey dissemination, and advisory participation to ensure that the findings reflect real experiences and lead to actionable solutions.
This project builds on our long-standing commitment to workforce development. By bringing together industry, education and equity partners, we’re not only collecting data, we’re building a foundation for meaningful change across Alberta’s manufacturing workforce.
For me, this project is also personal. As an Alberta resident deeply connected to the province’s manufacturing and community networks, I see firsthand both the challenges and the opportunities that come with building a more inclusive workforce. Alberta has always been known for its innovation and resilience and this project gives us a chance to ensure that everyone, women, men, and gender-diverse people can see themselves reflected in that future.
The project will culminate in a public report and employer toolkit designed to support inclusive hiring and retention practices, complete with templates, interview prompts, and best-practice guidelines.
Findings will be shared through webinars, stakeholder briefings, and presentations at industry events, reinforcing WMC’s ongoing leadership in advancing workforce diversity and strengthening Canada’s wood manufacturing sector.
At its core, Workforce Inclusion in Alberta is more than a study - it’s a call to action.
It’s about ensuring that the future of Alberta’s wood manufacturing industry reflects the diversity, talent, and innovation that drive its success.
