From Barriers to Building Better: Building Equitable Trades with Dr. Eden Hennessey

How do we build a more equitable future in the skilled trades?

On this episode of Deconstructed, host Jeff MacIntyre sits down with Dr. Eden Hennessey, Research and Programs Director at the Laurier Centre for Women in Science, to talk about her photo research exhibit Building Equitable Trades.

From the systemic barriers women and gender-diverse people face, to the urgent labour shortages ahead, Dr. Hennessey shares why time alone won’t fix representation in the trades — and how policy, mentorship, and cultural change can. With stories of resilience, allyship, and a call for more data, this conversation is both a reality check and a roadmap for building a stronger, more inclusive industry.

You're invited to share your thoughts in the Perception of Experiences in the Trades survey.