Ontario Helping More Women Build Skills and Get Jobs

Investment of up to $1,045,000 in training program helping women in Mississauga join the workforce and gain financial independence

The Voice of Canada:

The Ontario government is investing up to $1,045,000 over three years through the Women’s Economic Security Program to support Connecture Canada’s entrepreneurship program in Mississauga, which supports women from Francophone, Black, immigrant and racialized communities to gain the knowledge and experience they need to start a hair-braiding business

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: the 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 program, women, including those 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 this year 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.

Quick Facts

• 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.

Quotes

“When women have equal opportunities in the workforce, economies thrive – and we need more women from Francophone, Black, immigrant and racialized communities to have the support they need to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. I’m proud that the investments from the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence will do just that by benefitting Connecture Canada’s entrepreneurship program. This initiative will empower more women in Mississauga to reach their full potential, creating a more inclusive and prosperous Greater Toronto Area and Canada for all.”-The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

“I am beyond ecstatic for this investment in the women we serve, particularly Black women who can now turn their natural and cultural braiding skills into a serious revenue generating profession. In our mission to break the cycle of poverty in our community one family at a time, this is the kind of partnership and boost we yearn for here at Connecture Canada to allow us to lift more women, more immigrants and more families out of generational poverty. We are so grateful for this incredible funding.”-Rose Cathy Handy, General Director, Connecture Canada