Kelly Kienleitner: Canada's First Red-Sealed Female Winder & Trades Educator
Take a break, we're on Smoko. This week we are joined by Kelly Kienleitner, an electrician, winder, and trades educator whose career has helped break barriers in the male-dominated world of trades.
From a childhood surrounded by tools to earning the distinction of being the first red-sealed female in her trade in Canada, Kelly’s story is one of perseverance and trailblazing passion. Despite societal pressure to pursue a white-collar path, Kelly followed her instincts into the trades—and never looked back.
"I was literally the first red-sealed female in Canada. I had to make different choices, and this was the right one." – Kelly Kienleitner
In this episode, Kelly reflects on the mentors and supporters who recognized her talent, as well as the challenges she faced in navigating gender bias, layoffs, and inequities in pay. Her story offers a deeply personal look into the realities of being a woman in trades and the resilience it takes to thrive.
As an instructor in the Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC) program, Kelly now channels her expertise into educating the next generation of tradespeople. She discusses the need for boundary-setting in male-dominated workplaces, and how unions play a critical role in ensuring fairness and safety on the job.
Notably, Kelly helped establish the first women’s committee for the IBEW in Canada and continues to advocate for systemic improvements, including accessible childcare and inclusive training programs. Her vision is bold and hopeful: a world where gender no longer determines who belongs in the trades.