I'm behind on my email and just found this.  Interesting idea!  But I wonder if they're simultaneously going to address "cold climate" concerns about women entering and working in the skilled trades?
 
Robyn Kalda
Health Promotion Information Specialist
OPC Health Promotion Resource Centre


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Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration

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Transmitted by CNW Group on : March 27, 2007 11:26


McGuinty Government Helps Low-Income Women Enter the Skilled Trades

	    Giving Women Opportunities to Achieve Economic Independence

	    BURLINGTON, ON, March 27 /CNW/ - Minister Responsible for Women's Issues
Sandra Pupatello today announced more than $1.2 million to help low-income
women develop new skills, find employment and achieve economic independence.
	    "This is a great time to be entering the skilled trades, as demand is
high and will increase even more due to large numbers retiring from the
industry," said Minister Pupatello. "That's why our government is investing in
programs, like WIST, to create opportunities for women in fields where there
is growing demand."
	    The Women in Skilled Trades program will fund five training programs
across the province to help low-income women gain a foothold in the lucrative
skilled trades sector. This year, women will receive instruction in trades
such as welding, carpentry, landscaping, construction, industrial/metal
working and mechanical/motive power at training institutions in Sudbury,
Burlington, Waterloo, Thunder Bay, Dryden, Kenora and Hamilton.
	    The Centre for Skills Development and Training in Burlington received
$200,095 in funding and is delivering an enhanced general carpentry program in
partnership with the Residential Construction Council of Central Ontario,
which has been a supporter of the centre's construction programs for many
years. The program includes 30 weeks of in-class and on-the-job training, and
a 16-week work placement.
	    "The Centre is thrilled once again to have the opportunity to deliver an
enhanced general carpentry program under the Women in Skilled Trades
initiative," said Kathy Mills, Chief Administrative Officer, Centre for Skills
Development and Training. "We work closely with our construction industry
partners to ensure that women graduate with the skills necessary to meet the
demand for well-trained, well-qualified workers in the construction industry."
	    "The Centre makes a great contribution to the community by delivering the
WIST program," said Kevin Flynn, MPP Oakville, who participated in today's
announcement. "Congratulations to the students who are embarking on a new
career and a path to economic independence."
	    Mike Holmes, star of Holmes on Homes and an employer of WIST graduates,
participated in today's announcement, "As a contractor for over 20 years, I
know how important it is to give people the proper training to do things
right. I employ two WIST graduates who are excellent workers because of the
great job the Centre does in preparing its students. Congratulations to the
Ontario government for supporting this program and helping women get into the
trades."
	    Including this year's funding, the McGuinty government has provided a
total of more than $4.6 million since 2003 to train hundreds of women through
the Women in Skilled Trades program.

	    <<
	    Other government initiatives to promote women's economic independence
include:

	        -  Investing $2.7 million over two years to provide information
	           technology training for low-income women

	        -  Investing $4 million over two years to 10 Employment Training
	           Pilot Programs that offer skills training, education, support and
	           counselling to vulnerable women.

	    Disponible en français

	                        www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/owd


	    Backgrounder
	    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

	                       MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN
	         FIVE NEW TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN IN THE SKILLED TRADES

	    The Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) program will provide $1.2 million for
five training programs across the province to help low-income women prepare to
work in the skilled trades sector, such as welding, carpentry, landscaping,
construction, industrial/metal working and mechanical/motive power. The
program will be delivered at training institutions in Burlington, Hamilton,
Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Dryden, Kenora and Waterloo.

	      [backgrounder snipped for length -- see link below for the full press release + backgrounder]
 
	                        www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/owd
	

	
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/For further information: Phil DeMont, Minister's Office, (416) 325-6706;
Karen Ras, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7012/

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