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March 6, 2008

Helping Women Work In The Skilled Trades

McGuinty Government Celebrates International Women’s Day

Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Deb Matthews learns the tricks of the trade in the potting of an azalea, also known as 'the royalty of the garden' along with Natasha Asukwo, graduate of Landscaping Skills Plus Program from AAT School Hamilton Inc. and Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, MPP for Etobicoke North.

Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Deb Matthews learns the tricks of the trade in the potting of an azalea, also known as "the royalty of the garden" along with Natasha Asukwo, graduate of Landscaping Skills Plus Program from AAT School Hamilton Inc. and Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, MPP for Etobicoke North.

Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Deb Matthews with Natasha Asukwo, graduate of Landscaping Skills Plus Program from AAT School Hamilton Inc., Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, MPP for Etobicoke North, John Davies, President of Humber College and Lee Ann Knudsen, Publisher and Director of Publications and Communications at Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association.

Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Deb Matthews with Natasha Asukwo, graduate of Landscaping Skills Plus Program from AAT School Hamilton Inc., Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, MPP for Etobicoke North, John Davies, President of Humber College and Lee Ann Knudsen, Publisher and Director of Publications and Communications at Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association.

Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Deb Matthews with WIST program deliverers: Susan Krausz (Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning), Greg White (Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning), John Dime (AAT School Hamilton Inc.), Tanja Gancevich (Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning), Lois Willson (Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning), Jane Wilson (Community MicroSkills Development Centre), Beverley Rodrigues (Community MicroSkills Development Centre) and Kathy Mills (The Centre for Skills Development and Training).

Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Deb Matthews with WIST program deliverers: Susan Krausz (Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning), Greg White (Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning), John Dime (AAT School Hamilton Inc.), Tanja Gancevich (Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning), Lois Willson (Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning), Jane Wilson (Community MicroSkills Development Centre), Beverley Rodrigues (Community MicroSkills Development Centre) and Kathy Mills (The Centre for Skills Development and Training).

News

Ontario is providing 152 low–income women with training in carpentry, welding, horticulture, painting-decorating, cooking and landscaping.

Ontario is facing a shortage of skilled trades workers. By 2025, Canada’s skilled labour shortage will reach 1.2 million people.

The $1.5 million investment from the province’s Women In Skilled Trades program will help address this worker shortage by giving low-income women the skills training they need to build a higher quality of life.

The training is being provided in Burlington, Hamilton, Hawkesbury, Kenora, Fort Frances, Waterloo and Toronto.

Quotes

“When we support women, we build stronger communities and a stronger Ontario. Let’s celebrate and recognize the talented and dedicated women in our lives,” said Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues Deb Matthews.

“Investing in people is a cornerstone of the McGuinty government’s economic strategy. Helping women reach their potential supports the province’s competitiveness within the global economy,” said Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities John Milloy.


Quick Facts

  • International Women’s Day is observed worldwide on March 8 to celebrate women’s progress and encourage action on removing barriers to women’s equality. This year’s Canadian theme is Strong Women: Strong World.
  • Since 2003, Ontario has provided $6.1 million to train up to 592 women in the skilled trades.
  • In 2006, women accounted for 17 per cent of the active apprentices and 20 per cent of the new registrations in the apprenticeship program.

Learn More

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Contacts

Stephanie Kupiec, Minister’s Office, (416) 212-3394
Michel Payen-Dumont, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7010

Backgrounder: Ontario Helping Women Work In The Skilled Trades


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