Women 'vastly underrepresented in the skilled trades,' says minister
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages Randy Boissonnault has announced that funding will be given in order to help women enter the skilled trades industry.
As an attempt to develop a more diverse and inclusive workforce within the skilled trades, the minister said that more than $28.9 million worth of funds will be used for 15 projects which will help around 6,400 receive apprenticeship training and support that they will need for skilled trades.
“Women are vastly underrepresented in the skilled trades – and it isn’t due to a lack of interest. We need to inform and provide opportunities to women across the country – to bring new skillsets, creativity and diversity into our workforce,” said Boissonnault.
The initiative will be funded under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy: Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative and will be spread over four years as the 15 projects are focused on recruiting and retaining women apprentices in 39 eligible Red Seal trades in the sectors of construction and manufacturing.
Boissonnault further said that more than $1.5 million under the initiative will be provided to the Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society for its Immigrant Women Trades Apprenticeship project.
“Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society is excited to provide participants with specific training that leads to technical skills, certification and practical experience that employers in the trades sector are looking for,” said Satbir Singh Cheema, CEO and president of PICS Society.
The project will be supporting 120 women apprentices who come from equity-deserving groups, which will help in securing sustainable, rewarding, and long-term employment in the sectors of carpentry, construction, craft working, construction, electrical, plumbing and welding in British Columbia.
The Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative falls under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, which is focused on encouraging Canadians to the industry of skilled trades
