CATA WIT will receive $405,000 over two fiscal years for the project. It will use mentoring and other tools to help break down barriers facing women. During the project:
• 135 women will participate in development and mentorship workshops on networking and improved leadership skills;
• 75 women will help identify leading practices for women in the sector;
• 60 women will help develop the tools that support and promote the participation of women; and
• 25,000 men and women business leaders will increase their knowledge of best practices with respect to growth-oriented, women-owned firms.  

"This industry is growing by leaps and bounds. Estimates are that up to 89,000 new information and communications technology jobs will be created over the next three to five years," said Minister Guergis. "There are thousands of women ready to explore and expand the opportunities available to them in this exciting sector of our economy. Through partnerships with organizations like CATA WIT, our government is working to ensure that those women have the tools they need to succeed in this field."   

Based in Ottawa, CATA WIT is a non-profit organization that is committed to the advancement of women in technology. "We are facing a potential skills shortage in our industry over the next few years," said John Reid, president and CEO of CATA WIT. "We think this project will take us a long way forward in getting more women into advanced technology industries and helping more women expand their opportunities in the sector."

Funding for the Supporting Women's Leadership in the Advanced Technology Sectors project comes from the Women's Partnership Fund of the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada. The fund supports collaborative projects that involve leveraging matching funds from other partners, including other levels of government.