SEARCH NEWS
LABOUR: $1.5 million facility to train 400 women in trade skills
        (AlbertaIndex, February 20, Wednesday) --- The Alberta government is contributing $1.5 million towards the completion of a training facility for women entering the trades.
        The facility, operated by the not-for-profit organization Women Building Futures, will provide 400 positions for women each year in a program to help them achieve economic independence and build strong futures through trades training, mentorship and employment support. The government did not say where the facility will be located.

The new facility will increase the capacity of the Women Building Futures program from 60 to 400 students per year. It includes classrooms where students learn theory related to their chosen industry, as well as training laboratories with equipment to practice pipefitting, steamfitting, carpentry, electrical work, sheet metal, plumbing and welding.

Each student selected to participate in the training will have undergone an extensive assessment program to determine her suitability and readiness to enter the trades workplace.

The province is committing $1.5 million for this project under the Major Community Facilities Program. This two-year, $280-million lottery-funded program helps municipalities, not-for-profit organizations and Aboriginal communities plan, upgrade or build major public-use facilities that enhance community life.

“The women graduating from the Women Building Futures program are skilled, confident and ready to face the world, and they can be very proud of their accomplishments,” said Hector Goudreau, Minister of Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture. “The government of Alberta is proud to support this program, which helps build stronger families and communities.”

“Through this facility we are preparing women for success in what can be a very challenging industry in which to work,” said JudyLynn Archer, CEO of Women Building Futures. “Women remain a significant untapped resource for the trades, but clearly, from the 95 per cent success rate of our program graduates, we are starting to change that reality.”


Did you enjoy this article? Please share it!
Reddit!Del.icio.us!Google!Netscape!StumbleUpon!Newsvine!Furl!Yahoo!