The Ontario government is investing up to $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. This 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 and up to $821,000 for 10 Carden Shared Space's Opening Opportunities entrepreneurship training program for women in Guelph.
This funding is part of the government's investment of up to $26.7 million over three years in 25 local programs across the province that provide career training opportunities for women, helping them gain the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to find a job, start a business and achieve financial independence.
"The Women's Economic Security Program empowers women to achieve financial independence by breaking down barriers to career training opportunities," said Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women's Social and Economic Opportunity. "I'm proud of our government's continued support for local, community-based training programs that help women across the province reach their full potential and achieve the career success they deserve."
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.
Through the training 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.
Women interested in the program can visit Ontario.ca/women.
"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."
This 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 3 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.
Quick Facts
- 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.
Quotes
"When women have equal opportunities, economies thrive. I'm proud that investments from the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence are going towards initiatives like the Women's Economic Security Program, which help empower and keep women safe by achieving financial independence. This is about all governments working to create a more inclusive, safe and equal Canada."
- The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
"We are grateful for the generous support from the Women's Economic Security Program. 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."
- Dr. John Tibbits, President, Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
"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. We are thrilled that the Province of Ontario's Women's Economic Security Program invested in this initiative. Participant intake begins in December, with programs starting in January 2025 in Guelph and Wellington County. Learn more at 10carden.ca/opening-opportunities."
- Julia Grady, Executive Director, 10 Carden Shared Space
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