Despite progress toward gender equality, male-dominated industries— such as STEAM, construction, and manufacturing—continue to present barriers for women and gender-diverse individuals.
According to Statistics Canada, while women made up 31% of STEM postsecondary graduates in 2021, only 21% were employed in STEM occupations. Similarly, women held just 24% of energy sector jobs and earned an average of 85 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts.
In 2014, Nour Hachem saw a glaring gap in opportunities for women in skilled trades, STEAM, emergency response, leadership, and entrepreneurship, and she wasn’t willing to let it go unnoticed. Inspired by her mother, who navigated a male-dominated industry with resilience, and driven by a desire to create real change, Nour launched what would later become a national movement. Sitting at the intersection of workforce development and gender diversity, Build a Dream was more than just a grassroots initiative—it was a mission.
“We started with a single career expo to bridge the awareness gap, and from that first event, the momentum grew into something bigger than we could have ever imagined,” Hachem recalls.
Although it began as a regional effort in Windsor, Ontario, it quickly gained traction, expanding into a national organization dedicated to equipping young women with the confidence and skills to explore new pathways. In 2024 alone, the organization connected with over 4,110 students, with 82% exploring careers they had never considered.
Over the years, Build a Dream has evolved, introducing innovative programs like the Virtual Reality Career Discovery Incubator founded by St. Clair College and facilitated in partnership with Zion Robotics & Controls Inc. This incubator provides students, apprentices, and community members with hands-on experiences, immersing them in career exploration through advanced VR simulators and workstations. “With industry-standard equipment, real-time feedback, and collaborative projects, we’re bridging the gap between theory and practice, preparing the next generation for success,” she says
Like any endeavour, Build a Dream faced its share of obstacles. From securing funding to shifting deeply ingrained hiring biases, the road was anything but smooth. “There were moments of doubt, but I kept reminding myself why we started. Every girl deserves the chance to explore careers free of societal biases,” Hachem states. “We built strong partnerships with industry changemakers, identified gaps, and created innovative solutions to fill them. By maintaining a growth mindset and staying curious, we’ve tackled workforce issues in ways that are both creative and impactful.”
The original vision of Build a Dream was clear: introduce young women to careers where they were underrepresented. But in the past decade, that vision has expanded. Today, the organization doesn’t just introduce career paths—it ensures that the workplaces these young women enter are inclusive and supportive.
“We now offer mentorship programs, skills development initiatives, and employer training to ensure these industries are welcoming environments where women can thrive,” Hachem explains. One particularly full-circle moment was Build a Dream’s partnership with the Millwright Regional Council on their Introduction to Millwrighting Program. “Back when I worked in employment consulting, I helped develop programs to recruit more women into skilled trades like millwrighting. Seeing the Millwright Council’s initiative expand across the province, including Windsor, and knowing we played a part in its impact, is deeply personal.”
Over the past ten years, Build a Dream has achieved significant milestones, highlighting its impact on young women across Canada. The organization has engaged with over 67,000 attendees through its events and partnered with more than 500 organizations to create opportunities for young women. It has secured critical funding through grants such as Women in Skilled Trades (WIST), Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), and the Union Training & Innovation Program (UTIP). Additionally, Build a Dream launched the You’re Hired! Roadshow, a national initiative designed to support career entry by connecting industry leaders, employers, and skilled professionals with talent in six cities across the country. Attendees can receive career coaching and skills assessments while also engaging in hands-on demonstrations in a custom-built career trailer.
Dora Strelkova, one of Build a Dream’s early participants, speaks to the program’s lasting impact. A decade ago, she attended a Career Discovery Expo where she won a raffle for a spot in Build a Dream’s first Skilled Trades camp. Growing up, she had some experience helping her dad with repairs, but the camp opened her eyes to new possibilities. “I went in uncertain but left with a newfound confidence, a better understanding of how to fix things myself, and a realization that I could pursue a hands-on career—one that didn’t have to keep me stuck behind a desk or in a cubicle,” she recalls. The experience introduced her to woodworking, CNC machining, home electrical wiring, and pipe fitting, ultimately inspiring her to join her high school robotics team. That decision set her on a path toward engineering, proving that early exposure to skilled trades and STEM fields can be life-changing.
“Build a Dream also emphasized the power of empowering others and creating supportive, welcoming spaces,” says Dora. “This mindset continues to guide me, whether it’s pursuing a master’s degree in a different field from my undergrad or diving into my biggest creative endeavour yet—my YouTube channel (@strelkomania). At my core, I’m driven by a passion for teaching, lifelong learning, and helping others see their potential.”
While Build a Dream has expanded across Canada, Windsor remains its heart and soul. “This is where we piloted our career expos, built foundational partnerships, and developed programs that would later scale nationally,” Hachem says. “It’s where we still host our annual International Day of the Girl Breakfast, presented by St. Clair College, which brings together local leaders, industry influencers, and change makers, to discuss the unique barriers women and gender-diverse individuals face in our community.”
The Windsor-Essex region, known for its manufacturing and skilled trades sector, has provided real opportunities for Build a Dream participants. “With Windsor playing a key role in Canada’s transition to electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing, we’ve worked with industry partners like NextStar Energy, Stellantis, Magna, and St. Clair College to ensure women are part of this transformation,” she explains.
Given this growing demand for a skilled workforce, Build a Dream is excited to host their “You’re Hired! Roadshow” event in Windsor this fall, where industry leaders, employers, and job seekers will gather to create pathways to success. “This isn’t just about networking—it’s about career entry, exploration, and upskilling. We’re empowering participants to connect, learn, and advance in their fields.”
Another major milestone was the grand opening of Build a Dream’s new headquarters last fall. “For four years, Valiant generously let us use their space. But, having our own dedicated headquarters strengthens our ability to serve the community, expand our programming, and create even more impactful career pathways.”
Despite tremendous progress, there is still work to be done. Some industries remain resistant to change. “We’ve encountered pushback from those who question the need for targeted initiatives,” Hachem acknowledges. “But when you lead with data and impact stories, it becomes clear that diversity isn’t just about equity—it’s about strengthening industries, driving innovation, and addressing labour shortages.”
Scaling Build a Dream nationwide has also required careful navigation of regional differences. “Every province has its own education system and workforce challenges. The lesson we’ve learned is that while the barriers may look different, the need for gender diversity and workforce development is universal.”
Leading an organization while raising a family is no easy feat, but motherhood has only deepened her leadership skills for Hachem. “It’s given me perspective, patience, and resilience. It’s also reinforced why this work matters—because I want my children, and all young girls, to grow up knowing they can pursue any career they dream of.”
Her leadership philosophy is rooted in adaptability and purpose. “Resilience comes from surrounding yourself with the right people, staying true to your mission, and being willing to pivot when necessary. During the pandemic, we had to transition to virtual programming almost overnight. It wasn’t easy, but it ensured we could continue supporting young women when they needed us most.”
Looking ahead, Build a Dream has big plans. “We’re expanding our mentorship programs, launching new skills training initiatives, and hosting our annual Dream and Build conference for skilled tradeswomen. We’re also developing partnerships to offer wraparound career support services for women in skilled trades, ensuring they have the resources to succeed.”
The conversation around gender balance in the workforce has come a long way since Build a Dream’s inception, but Hachem knows there’s still work to be done. “We’ve seen major shifts in how industries approach diversity, but true equity requires continuous effort. We won’t stop until every woman knows she belongs.” This campaign for change was recognized in 2024 and previously in 2022 by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) when Nour was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100. The award celebrates a distinguished group bold leaders who have made an impact on industries, companies, and communities across Canada.
Through passion, persistence, and purpose, Nour Hachem has turned Build a Dream into a force, and as she looks toward the next decade, one thing is clear—the dream is only getting bigger.
