New Ontario Government Investment Aims To Help Windsor Women Gain Employment
Let’s start off our 27th annual Biz X Awards Tribute with information about an investment to benefit the local region by helping women succeed at work, home and in the community.
In mid-October a news release hit my inbox about the Ontario government investing up to $1.24 million, over three years, through the Women’s Economic Security Program, to provide skilled trades training
for low-income women in Windsor.
This is good news for us all and I wanted to share it with our readers.
Perhaps women taking advantage of this program may start-up a company that could be a Biz X Award nominee in the future!
The investment will support the Industrial Mechanic Millright CNC Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Women, delivered by Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor (WEST) in partnership with St. Clair
College. (Refer to: WestOfWindsor.com/women-in-skilled-trades).
WEST Executive Director Rose Anguiano Hurst states: “Together, with the support of the Ontario Government, this program is transforming lives by removing barriers and creating pathways for
women to enter the skilled trades. The Industrial Mechanic Millwright
courtesy of WEST.
CNC Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Women not only opens doors to economic empowerment, but also addresses the growing demands of the local labour market. By equipping women with the necessary skills and opportunities, this life-changing program is fostering greater gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated industries, creating a more inclusive workforce, and driving sustainable economic growth. The
partnership model has been the key ingredient for the success of this program; WEST is delighted to partner with St. Clair College, Unifor and local manufacturing.”
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.
Andrew Dowie, MPP Windsor-Tecumseh adds: “The Industrial Mechanic Millright CNC Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Women is a tremendous opportunity for women to build both their career and their independence in an incredible line of work.”
The Women’s Economic Security Program offers training in four streams: 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.
