'We are helping women access in-demand careers, achieve financial independence and succeed in sectors that are vital to the economy'
Ontario is making an investment worth over $1 million dollars to support women in building carpentry and entrepreneurship careers.
The provincial government is setting aside $1.88 million over three years through the Women’s Economic Security Program to support two employment training programs for low-income women in Cambridge and Guelph.
“Ontario is taking a government-wide approach to address and prevent gender-based violence and support women’s economic empowerment,” said Michael Parsa, minister of children, community and social services. “Through the Women’s Economic Security Program, we are helping women access in demand careers, achieve financial independence and succeed in sectors that are vital to the economy.”
In May, as part of the Working for Workers Five Act 2024, Ontario set to require menstrual products be made available on larger construction sites.
The recent investment will provide up to $1,061,000 to support the Conestoga College Institute of Technology’s carpentry pre-apprenticeship training program for women in Cambridge.
"We are grateful for the generous support from the Women’s Economic Security Program,” said Dr. John Tibbits, president, Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning. “Conestoga continues to invest in skilled trades training and resources to help address labour shortages across the province by attracting a diverse cohort of students to trades-based careers. This funding will be directed to Conestoga’s Carpentry pre-apprenticeship program to provide women with hands-on skills training. The program will help women gain their own financial independence as they contribute to the workforce and the prosperity of their communities."
The funding will also provide up to $821,000 for 10 Carden Shared Space’s Opening Opportunities entrepreneurship training program for women in Guelph.
"Entrepreneurship empowers people to shape their futures and strengthen communities. Opening Opportunities, led by 10C Shared Space and the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition, supports women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs living below the Low-Income Measure. With a focus on networks, mentorship, and resources, the program helps participants develop core skills and advance their projects.”
Participant intake begins in December, with programs starting in January 2025 in Guelph and Wellington County, said Grady.
Previously, the Ontario government announced an investment of over $6 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to train more than 1,000 carpenters across the province.
Women’s Economic Security Program
The investment is part of Ontario’s four-year action plan to prevent and address gender-based violence. In addition to the province’s $15 million investment over three years in the Women’s Economic Security Program, Ontario is providing up to another $11.7 million through the bilateral agreement with the federal government on the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence.
The Women’s Economic Security Program offers training in four streams: the skilled trades, entrepreneurship, information technology, and general employment. To help remove barriers to participating, the training programs also include additional supports such as providing meals throughout the training day, transportation to and from training, and support finding child care.
Organizations funded under the Women’s Economic Security Program deliver employment, pre-employment, pre-apprenticeship, and entrepreneurship training to low-income women. The 25 training programs are delivered through partnerships between women-centred organizations, educational institutions, and businesses.
Since its inception in 2018, the Women’s Economic Security Program has helped more than 2,600 women secure employment, become entrepreneurs, or pursue further training and education. This includes helping 1,298 women start small businesses and 237 get jobs in the skilled trades.
Through the program, women who have experienced or are at risk of intimate partner violence can also access wraparound supports, including referrals to mental health and well-being supports, counselling, housing and legal support.