The provincial government is investing almost half a million dollars to help more women join the skilled trades and gain financial independence.
Associate minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity Charmaine Williams, associate minister of Small Business Nina Tangri, parliamentary assistant to the minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Smith, and MPP Natalie Pierre announced the additional funding at a press conference at the Centre for Skills Development in Burlington Monday morning (Dec. 4)
“I’m pleased to announce that we are increasing our investment in the Women’s Economic Security Program by $496,000, burning our total investment this year to $5.5 million,” Williams said. “This marks a nearly 10 per cent increase this year alone, and will allow more women across Ontario to access the supports they need to enter, or re-enter the workforce.”
The ministers spoke in front of approximately 20 women in skilled trades at the centre's North Service Road offices.
Eligible organizations can apply now to get funding to help women join the workforce. In the past, similar types of programs have seen 60 to 100 women participate each year.
“I can personally attest to the transformative impact that the skilled trades have on individuals and our community,” Pierre said. “Thanks to the Women’s Economic Security Program, more women have access to skills training, gaining the experience to embark on a career to a good paying job in the trades.”
The centre for skills development operates as an independent charity, which delivers free government-funded programs to help people at different stages of their careers and life. More than 20,000 people use the centres in Burlington and Mississsauga each year.
Through the Women’s Economic Security Program, women can access supports, including childcare, transportation, food and referrals to other services such as specialized support for intimate partner violence.
“Our investment in the Women’s Economic Security Program builds on the $6.9 million I announced earlier this year to enhance the Investing in Women’s Futures program,” Williams said. “The investment increased funding to existing investing in women’s futures, programs sites, and added 10 new locations. We now have 33 delivery sites providing programs across the province.”
More and more women are joining skilled trades programs, Smith says. In the last year, there has been a 30 per cent increase in the number of women signing up for trades apprenticeships.
“We are already seeing signs of a safe and more inclusive working environment,” Smith says. “We will continue to implement changes that build a stronger economy, that leave nobody left behind.”
