Trailblazer Award: Celebrating Women in Construction

Awarded: October 23, 2026 | Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026

This award recognizes women who are shaping a more welcoming and equitable construction sector, whether within their own workplace, their community, or the industry at large.

This award honours not only professional success, but the positive influence a nominee has on others. We welcome nominations that highlight practical, hands‑on leadership and authentic stories.

Eligibility Criteria
  • The nominee must identify as a woman
  • The nominee must currently be employed by a CANS member company in good standing
  • The nominee must reside in or conduct work in Nova Scotia
  • Nominees may be involved in any sector of the construction industry
  • Self-nominations and third-party nominations are welcome

Submission Requirements

All nominations must include a written submission of no more than 1,200 words total that clearly addresses each of the five criteria. We recommend drafting your submission in Word to help track your word count. Submissions exceeding the limit will not be reviewed by the selection committee.

Supporting materials are welcome and encouraged and are not included in the word count.

  1. Personal Biography and Pathway into Construction (maximum 20 points)

Describe the nominee’s professional background and how she came to work in the construction industry. Include any key experiences or challenges that shaped her career.

  1. Industry Leadership and Workplace Impact (maximum 25 points)

Describe how the nominee shows leadership within her organization and/or the broader construction sector. Examples may include:

  • Supervisory or executive roles
  • Taking on responsibility or leading by example
  • Improving workplace culture, safety, or inclusion
  • Mentorship or sponsorship of other women in their workplace

  1. Empowering Women in the Industry (maximum 20 points)

Share examples of how the nominee supports other women in construction. This could include:

  • Internal mentorship or peer support programs
  • Advocating for equitable policies
  • Hosting or facilitating women-in-trades networks, workshops, or panels
  • Creating a welcoming environment on site or in the office

  1. Inspiring the Next Generation (maximum 20 points)

Highlight any work done to encourage and inspire women and girls to consider careers in construction. Examples might include:

  • Participating in school visits or career outreach events
  • Community involvement
  • Developing materials or campaigns targeting young women
  • Being a visible role model in the industry, shown publicly through media, conferences, or social media

  1. Advocacy and Influence (maximum 15 points)

If applicable, describe how the nominee speaks up for positive change in the industry–within her company, her community, or the broader construction sector. This may be informal and does not require public speaking or policy work. This may include:

  • Participation in policy discussions or advocacy campaigns
  • Public speaking engagements or published writing
  • Serving on boards, advisory councils, or committees that influence workforce development or diversity

Supporting Materials

Nominators are encouraged to include up to three supporting documents, such as:

  • Letters of support from colleagues, supervisors, mentees, or partners
  • Photos or materials from community or workplaces activities
  • Program brochures, news articles, or media features
  • Media coverage or internal communications

All supporting materials must be clearly labelled and referenced in your submission. Supporting materials are not included in the overall word count; however, they should be limited to the most relevant and impactful items only and must not exceed 10 pages total. Materials submitted beyond this limit may not be reviewed by the selection committee.

Award Process and Conditions


Designated Company Representative

All award recipients will be announced at the CANS Awards Gala. Each nomination must include a designated company representative who will act as liaison with CANS if the nominee is selected. This individual must:

  • Maintain confidentiality until the public announcement at the Gala
  • Confirm attendance at the CANS Awards Gala or assign a representative

Selected recipients will participate in a brief interview process following judging. Portions of the interview may be recorded for presentation at the Gala.

How to Submit
  • Submit your nomination by August 14, 2026, at 4 p.m. A.T.
  • This nomination will be completed in a form format, with each criterion addressed in its own response field. You may distribute your total word count of up to 1,200 words across the sections as you see fit.
  • Individual deadline extensions will not be granted. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Selection Process

A committee of industry leaders will review all nominations. Each submission will be scored out of 100 points based on the criteria outlined above, and authentic impact, clarity, and meaningful contribution. The award recipient will be selected based on total score.