Ontario Helping More Women Build Skills and Get Jobs
The Voice of Canada – The Ontario government is investing up to $1.24 million over three years through the Women’s Economic Security Program to support the PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise – PAROBiz program, which helps low-income women start and grow their own businesses. The program is offered in Thunder Bay, as well as other communities across Northern, Eastern and Central Ontario, and in the Greater Toronto Area.
This funding is part of the government’s investment of up to $26.7 million over three years in 25 local programs across the province that provide career training opportunities for women, helping them gain the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to find a job, start a business and achieve financial independence.
“The Women’s Economic Security Program empowers women to achieve financial independence by breaking down barriers to career training opportunities,” said Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity. “I’m proud of our government’s continued support for local, community-based training programs that help women across the province reach their full potential and achieve the career success they deserve.”
The Women’s Economic Security Program offers training in four streams: skilled trades, entrepreneurship, information technology, and general employment. To help remove barriers to participating, the training programs also include additional supports such as providing meals throughout the training day, transportation to and from training, and support finding child care.
Through the training program, women who have experienced or are at risk of intimate partner violence can also access wraparound supports, including referrals to mental health and well-being supports, counselling, housing, and legal support.
Women interested in the program can visit Ontario.ca/women.
“Ontario is taking a government-wide approach to address and prevent gender-based violence and support women’s economic empowerment,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “Through the Women’s Economic Security Program, we are helping women access in-demand careers, achieve financial independence and succeed in sectors that are vital to the economy.”
This investment is part of Ontario’s four-year action plan to prevent and address gender-based violence. In addition to the province’s $15 million investment over three years in the Women’s Economic Security Program, Ontario is providing up to another $11.7 million through the bilateral agreement with the federal government on the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence.
Organizations funded under the Women’s Economic Security Program deliver employment, pre-employment, pre-apprenticeship, and entrepreneurship training to low-income women. The 25 training programs are delivered through partnerships between women-centred organizations, educational institutions, and businesses.
Since its inception in 2018, the Women’s Economic Security Program has helped more than 2,600 women secure employment, become entrepreneurs, or pursue further training and education. This includes helping 1,298 women start small businesses and 237 get jobs in the skilled trades.
“When women are given equal opportunities, everyone benefits—families, communities, and economies flourish. Through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence we can support initiatives like the Women’s Economic Security Program, which empowers women to achieve financial independence. Together, with all levels of government, we can create a more inclusive, equitable, and safer Canada where everyone can truly succeed.”-The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
“This investment in the PAROBiz program will equip women in Thunder Bay and across Ontario with the skills and resources needed to start and grow their businesses. By supporting initiatives that provide vital entrepreneurship training and ongoing support, we are empowering women to achieve financial independence. This will help strengthen local economies and create lasting opportunities for women to thrive, benefiting both individuals and communities across the region.”– Kevin Holland, MPP, Thunder Bay—Atikokan
“PAROBiz is about empowering women and giving them the tools needed to build a sustainable livelihood. Research shows that the key to economic and social prosperity is empowering women-thriving societies where women are valued, prioritized and included in decision-making processes. PAROBiz strives to provide a place where women come to get what they need to thrive socially and economically. We use a business development framework but it is based on a unique concept of peer support and ongoing access to financing, a place for diverse women to come, get inspired, and be all they can as whole and participating women.”- Rosalind Lockyer, CEO, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise
