Feds support manufacturing sector opportunities for women in Manitoba

Aug. 12, 2014 – The Centre for Education and Work is receiving funding from the federal government to increase support for women entering the manufacturing industry in Manitoba.

The Winnipeg-based organization, whose goal is to change the way Canadians learn by combining adult learning principles with emerging technologies and digital media, will develop a series of resources, including digital tools and a “women in manufacturing” website, to increase the access women have to best practices for advancing in the manufacturing sector. Training and education institutions will be engaged to incorporate these new resources into existing curricula. The organization will also work with employers to integrate the new tools into recruitment and retention practices.

This project was selected under the theme of advancing women in non-traditional occupations as part of the Government of Canada’s recent call for proposals entitled “Opening Doors: Economic Opportunities for Women.”

Status of Women Canada is providing $250,000 to the Centre for Education and Work for this 36-month project. Through Status of Women Canada, federal funding of community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting more than 720 projects across Canada.

Women now represent nearly half the Canadian workforce, yet continue to be under-represented in certain fields. In 2012, women represented only four per cent of those working in construction trades, and 20 per cent of those working in primary industries such as forestry, mining, oil and gas.

“We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada on this project to provide new economic options for women in Manitoba,” said Dr. Robin Millar, executive director at the Centre for Education and Work. “By collaborating with local partners, we will provide valuable new resources that can create new paths to prosperity in the manufacturing sector for women in our community.”