March 19, 2008

CAWIC lauds Ontario’s plan to fund more training for women in trades careers

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

The Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) is applauding the government of Ontario’s recent $1.5 million investment in trades training for low-income women, calling it another positive step toward exposing women to careers in construction.

“The recently announced financial assistance by the province will provide for skills training and allows women to achieve a greater sense of independence and more opportunities for construction and non-traditional careers,” said Angela Wilson president of CAWIC.

The $1.5 million investment for the province’s Women In Skilled Trades program will both help address labour shortages and give low-income women the skills training they need to build a higher quality of life, said Deb Matthews, Ontario’s women’s issues minister.

“When we support women, we build stronger communities and a stronger Ontario,” Matthews said at the funding announcement.

The training will be provided at trades training centres in Burlington, Hamilton, Hawkesbury, Kenora, Fort Frances, Waterloo and Toronto. Approximately 152 women will receive trainingin carpentry, welding, horticulture, painting-decorating or landscaping.

Since 2003, Ontario has provided $6.1 million to train up to 592 women in the skilled trades. In 2006 women accounted for 17 per cent of the active apprentices and 20 per cent of the new registrations in the apprenticeship program, reports the province.

This recent funding will assist programs such as:

•Burlington’s Centre for Skills Development and Training which received $202, 592 to train 20 women in general carpentry. The program includes 30 weeks of in-class and a 16-week placement.

•La Cite in Hawkesbury which received $179,490 to deliver welder training to 14 Francophone women. The program has 30 weeks of in-class and a 20-week work placement.

•Conestoga College which received $290,000 to train 25 women in general carpentry. The program includes 28 weeks of in-class training and a 10-week work placement.

Wilson noted that the existence of a projected labour shortages in construction ismessage which needs to get out Ontario secondary schools. Students need to know the benefits and opportunities of a career in the construction industry. However, the challenge for women entering the trades does not stop once they graduate, admits Wilson.

“Trade unions and independent contractors must be on board and embrace the notion of women in skilled trades by supporting, encouraging and providing opportunities for women,” said Wilson. “It would be short-sighted to provide funding to train women and subsequently for them to encounter difficulties in acquiring jobs within the industry. We would be delighted to partner with the government in achieving these goals.”

CAWIC attends career days at schools; provide bursaries for women taking construction-related courses in colleges and universities; provide mentoring programs and conducts informational sessions on current and innovative developments in the construction industry.

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