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Community Investment | Working at Pembina | Inclusion & Diversity

Paving the way: Pembina and Women Building Futures create pathways to success

Thu, 06 Mar 2025
Together, Pembina and Women Building Futures (WBF), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women and gender-diverse individuals through free skills training and personalized support, are opening doors to exciting careers in the skilled trades. Our partnership with WBF represents a $1.55 million investment over the next three years!

For over a decade, Pembina has proudly partnered with WBF to strengthen communities, foster inclusion and empower women. This partnership has not only opened doors for women and gender-diverse individuals but has created pathways to success, transforming the lives of their graduates.  

In 2023-2024, WBF celebrated a record-breaking 284 graduates, each with their own success stories. Thanks to WBF’s comprehensive programs, and ongoing support from Pembina and other partners, 80% of graduates secured employment in fields related to their training within just six months and are now earning higher wages.  

Pembina and WBF share a common goal of removing barriers, increasing women’s earning potential, and creating economic resiliency in the communities where we operate. Extending our partnership, and investing $1.55 million over the next three years, will create opportunities for women to begin to build careers in skilled trades and access the support they need for long term success.

Janet Loduca, Senior Vice President, External Affairs and Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer

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Community Investment at Pembina

We strive to have communities welcome us as a safe and responsible partner whose positive social impact creates significant value for all our stakeholders. We proudly participate in local events, engage with communities, and give back through Pembina’s Community Investment program.

Pembina partners with local, provincial/state, and national non-profit and charitable organizations that support Indigenous and Tribal communities, promote safety, equity and inclusion, and encourage a sustainable energy future.

To learn more about our Community Investment program, visit our Community Engagement page.

Developing future power engineers

One of WBF’s most impactful programs is the Power Engineer Career Accelerator Program (PECA), which aims to increase women’s participation in Power Engineering and improve their economic resiliency. Pembina, along with industry collaborators DOW and Inter Pipeline, plays an active role through participation in workshop presentations, interviews, mentorships, and paid and un-paid employment opportunities. Three cohorts of students have completed PECA since the program began in 2021, which has seen 21 graduates and a total of 19 women who have become fourth-class certified Power Engineers. WBF is currently running their fourth cohort, with applications for the fifth cohort opening this spring.  

Currently, five Pembina and PGI facilities have been engaged for WBF work placements, including Redwater where Chief Power Engineer, Thomas Bahng has supported the program since 2021.  

“Over the past four years we’ve reserved at least two spots in our summer steam practicum program for WBF students and have seen some amazing women join our team. Not only that, but we've grown our program’s scope and increased the number of industry partners that participate,” said Thomas. “I’ve seen the impact PECA has on people’s lives and I’m glad that we’re not just talking about a skilled labor shortage but actively encouraging and creating opportunities for women to enter this industry,” he added. 

Shauna Petrock, Senior Analyst, Technical Training, has also played a key role in PECA and recently shared her experience with the Sherwood Park News.  A third-class Power Engineer herself, Shauna has used her personal experiences, and knowledge of Pembina’s operations and internal processes, to expand the reach of WBF across our organization. 

Shauna explained, “I wanted to be involved in the partnership that Pembina has with WBF because bringing women into this workforce, into this industry, means a lot to me. I have a 14-year-old daughter, and this is about shaping our future generation and inspiring them to pursue their dreams and take their careers as far as they can.” 


Thanks to WBF’s comprehensive programs, and ongoing support from Pembina and other partners, 80% of graduates secured employment in fields related to their training within just six months and are now earning higher wages.

Thanks to WBF’s comprehensive programs, and ongoing support from Pembina and other partners, 80% of graduates secured employment in fields related to their training within just six months and are now earning higher wages.

Building skills for careers in construction

Our partnership extension will also continue to support the Journey to Trades program, which is an introductory construction trades program that prepares participants with the basic hands-on skills, safety certifications and experience to start a career in the construction trades. 

Last year, the program reached an important milestone with the graduation of the first Journey to Trades program in Regina, Saskatchewan, which Pembina sponsored. 

Supporting Indigenous women in our communities

WBF also provides opportunities for Indigenous women to explore new career paths and succeed through their Indigenous services, which offer support and coaching.  

Pembina’s funding will help provide tailored programming for women from Indigenous communities in central Alberta to gain in-demand skills and certifications, learn the best practices for working in the construction trades, driving, and operating occupations with a specific focus on safety, increase their employment readiness, and build lasting connections with classmates, industry employers, and the WBF team. 


To learn more, visit the WBF website.