Anna Lary: Red Seal Electrician & Advocate for Women in Trades
Take a break, we’re on Smoko. We’re honoured to be joined by Anna Lary, a BC Master Electrician and Red Seal journeyperson with more than two decades of experience—and a powerful voice for equity in trades. From her start as an apprentice in 1997 to her influential role as an instructor at BCIT, Anna’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and transformation.
Anna speaks candidly about the early challenges she faced in the industry, including discrimination, job site hostility, and the pressure to prove herself daily in male-dominated environments. Despite these obstacles, she persevered, driven by her passion for electrical work and a vision for a more inclusive future in trades.
"My first day on a job site set the tone—but it didn’t define me. I kept showing up, kept learning, and eventually, I helped change the tone for others." – Anna Lary
Now a veteran instructor at BCIT, Anna reflects on how she bridged theory and practice for her students, and how she continues to advocate for gender-diverse tradespeople through grassroots support networks and organizations like BCCWITT and the BC Trades Equity Society.
We explore Anna’s philosophy on trades education, the role of policy, and why emotional intelligence, collaboration, and inclusion are just as critical as technical skills. Her voice is vital, her story is inspiring, and her impact on trades in BC is profound.