WINDSOR, ONT. – Two projects are receiving $7.3 million in funding from the federal government through the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) – Innovation in Apprenticeship Stream.
The announcement was made at Build a Dream, in Windsor, Ont. by Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages Randy Boissonnault.
The projects will improve the participation of underrepresented groups, such as women, newcomers, people with disabilities, Indigenous people and racialized Canadians in the Red Seal trades, indicates a release.
Through the first project titled Diversifying the Talent Pipelines for In-demand Red Seal Trades, Build a Dream to Empower Women will receive more than $4 million over two years to help up to 18,000 underrepresented apprentices in Ontario, Alberta and Nova Scotia improve their overall skills and competencies in leadership and team building. Participants will get support to upgrade technical skills through hands-on experience and in collaboration with unions and employers. The organization will help participants find work placements in the Red Seal trades.
As part of the second project, Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) will receive more than $3 million over four years for their SMART for Women project to help up to 400 unrepresented apprentices.
WEST will provide math refresher courses; assist participants to enrol in technical training courses offered by trades schools and training providers; and provide participants with wraparound supports, such as child care and financial support, so they can complete their apprenticeship training successfully, the release states.
“Any and all steps taken to encourage greater participation in the trades is welcomed by our industry and our association,” said Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada CEO Tania Johnston, in a statement. “We would also encourage the government to look at other creative ways to make the trades a more inclusive career choice. Last year we recommended that the government adopt tax deduction programs to reduce the often-higher cost of gender-specific PPE. This would help support the government’s goal of recruiting and retaining Canadians to the skilled trades and help fill the labour shortage facing our sector.”
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