Union Gas encourages young women to pursue skilled trades

$5,000 grant to Skills Canada - Ontario at Kitchener Young Women's Conference

KITCHENER, ON, May 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Union Gas is helping Skills Canada - Ontario, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging Ontario's youth to enter into the skilled trades and technologies, courtesy of a $5,000 grant awarded today.

Murray Costello, Union Gas district manager for Waterloo/Brantford presented the cheque to Gail Smyth, Executive Director of Skills Canada - Ontario, at the Young Women's Conference held today at the Holiday Inn in Kitchener. This two-day event is an opportunity for over 350 female students to rub elbows with over 60 local tradeswomen. At this inspiring event, elementary and secondary school students learn about their career journeys, challenges and successes, while participating in exciting, hands-on activities.

"At Union Gas we are committed to being active members in the communities we serve and to working with our community partners to change the living conditions for individuals and families for the better," said Costello. "That's why we're so pleased to support Skills Canada - Ontario and the work they do to improve the quality of life for women interested in the skilled trades."

"Providing female mentors for young women interested in the skilled trades is essential for an economically healthy Ontario," said Smyth. "It's also wonderful to see these young women discover a passion in a field they may not have considered before."

For more than 100 years, Union Gas has been privileged to work in more than 400 Ontario communities. Each year, the company supports the communities where its employees live and work through thousands of volunteer hours for local charitable and non-profit organizations, major charitable giving and sponsorships. Last year, Union Gas donated close to $3 million to community and charitable organizations in Ontario, including over $928,000 to United Way.  In addition, Union Gas employees, retirees, family and friends provided over 17,000 volunteer hours to help strengthen the communities where they live and work. For more information visit uniongas.com/community.

About Skills Canada - Ontario
Skills Canada - Ontario is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the skilled trades and technologies as viable career options for Ontario youth. Throughout the year, they promote the skilled trades and technologies through their in-school presentations, Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC), Cardboard Boat Race Competitions, Young Women's Networking Dinners and Conferences, and Aboriginal Initiatives.

About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited, a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company, is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with 100 years of experience and service to customers, assets of over $6.4 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. The distribution business serves about 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across Ontario. Union Gas is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2014. For more information, visit uniongas.com or find us on Twitter: twitter.com/uniongas, Facebook: facebook.com/uniongas and YouTube: youtube.com/user/uniongas.

SOURCE: Union Gas Limited

Union Gas Limited 
Andrea Stass
Manager, External Communications and Media Relations
Ph: 519 436-5490 or 1-800-571-8446 ext. 5005490
Cell: 519 365-1010
[email protected] 

Skills Canada - Ontario
Gail Smyth
Executive Director, Skills Canada - Ontario
519-749-9899 ext. 229
[email protected]