TNDC News

TNDC CELEBRATES OUR FEMALE WORKFORCE AND UNDERSCORES COMMITMENT TO GENDER EQUALITY AND INCLUSION

March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and marking a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Each year, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made towards gender equality and highlights the work that still needs to be done.

The campaign theme for 2024 is Inspire Inclusion, which emphasizes the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society and underscores the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. It calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected. Inspire Inclusion encourages everyone to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities.

At TNDC, International Women's Day resonates with the very core of our identity as an Indigenous community-owned business. It's a day that echoes our commitment to shattering the glass ceilings in the construction industry – a field where women have historically been underrepresented, making up just 14.6% of the workforce. Standing in contrast, TNDC is proud that 41% of our workforce is female. This is not just a number; it's a beacon of progress and a statement of our relentless pursuit to elevate this percentage even higher, solidifying our status as an Employer of Choice.

Our dedication goes beyond mere statistics; it's about fostering a workplace culture that thrives on safety, respect, equality, equity and inclusivity for our female employees. At TNDC, we are passionate about carving out pathways for women, particularly Tahltan women, providing them with the tools, training and opportunities to grow, develop and ascend within our ranks.

By championing these values, TNDC not only aims to contribute to a more gender-balanced world but also to inspire change within the construction sector and beyond. We are committed to leading by example, demonstrating the powerful impact of inclusion and diversity in driving innovation and success. Together, we are building a future where every woman in our workforce feels empowered, valued and poised to achieve greatness.

"TNDC is honoured to employ some of the industry's most talented women, in a variety of roles within our project sites and corporate offices, including cooks, cleaners, operators and administrators, as well as frontline supervisors, mid-level managers and senior leaders. Our Tahltan HEO Training Program, now boasting 100% female participation, along with our newly introduced Employee HEO Training Program, demonstrates our dedication to empowering women in the workforce," says Colleen Cashin, TNDC's Vice President of People and Corporate Culture.

Reflecting on the significance of International Women's Day, former TNDC Board Director Mindy Henyu reminds us, "This day underscores our Tahltan people's longstanding matriarchal system. Our culture recognizes the significant and sacred value of women."

TNDC celebrates the strength, intelligence and talent of the many women within its ranks and those we regard as friends, mothers, sisters and daughters. By championing women's inclusion, we move closer to a world that values and benefits from gender equality.

About International Women’s Day (IWD)

Marked annually on March 8th, IWD is one of the most important days of the year to:

• Celebrate women's achievements
• Educate and awareness raise about women's equality
• Call for positive change advancing women
• Lobby for accelerated gender parity
• Fundraise for women-focused charities

Learn more about IWD and the #InspireInclusion theme, visit: International Women’s Day.