Harper Government supports mentoring opportunities for women across Canada in skilled and professional trades Français
New project will help women advance within the woodworking industry
VANCOUVER, Feb. 12, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, along with Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood–Port Kells, today announced Government of Canada funding for a project to promote the advancement of women working in the Canadian woodworking industry through mentorship.
The Wood Manufacturing Council is receiving $298,788 for their project, which will create and test a sustainable mentorship model for women employed in the woodworking industry in Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver. Through this project, the Wood Manufacturing Council will work with local stakeholders to develop and share the model, which will be designed to meet specific needs identified by women working in the industry.
This project was selected through the Government of Canada's recent call for proposals entitled Economic Prosperity: Positioning Women for Success.
Quick Facts
- Women have made gains in several sectors and professions where they have been underrepresented yet they continue to have low representation in the skilled trades, technology and science-based professions. For example, according to a 2010 Labour Market Update of the Advanced Wood Processing Industry, the participation rate of women in core positions in this sector is just 15%.
- Since 2007, the Government of Canada has provided over $153 million through Status of Women Canada for community-based projects. Federal funding of community-based projects through Status of Women Canada has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting more than 750 projects across Canada.
- Since 2007, the Government of Canada has delivered more than $60 million through the Women's Program at Status of Women Canada for projects that promote women's economic security and prosperity. Of this amount, more than $15 million has gone to projects that support women in skilled professional trades and technical professions.
Quotes
"Our Government is creating jobs and opportunities for women all across the country. We are supporting a variety of community-based projects like this one that encourage women to take on rewarding careers in the skilled professional trades and technical professions. We know that when women succeed, our entire country prospers."
The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
"The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with the Wood Manufacturing Council on this project to position women for economic success in Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Toronto through mentoring. It is going to open new doors of opportunity for women in these communities."
Nina Grewal
Member of Parliament for Fleetwood–Port Kells
"Women in the woodworking industry face a number of challenges that can affect their participation and advancement, including access to training and workplace culture. Mentoring is a powerful way to overcome these challenges and position women for success. This Government of Canada funding will allow us to develop a model to encourage mentorship for women woodworkers, and to share that model throughout the sector."
Iain MacDonald, Chair
Wood Manufacturing Council
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Photos of Minister Leitch are available.
For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to women.gc.ca.
Ce texte est également disponible en français.
SOURCE Status of Women Canada
For media inquiries only: Andrew McGrath, Director of Communications, Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P., Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, Tel: 819-953-5646, [email protected]; For all other inquiries: Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Public Affairs, Status of Women Canada, Tel: 819-420-6810, Ce texte est également disponible en français.
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