News

Ontario Helping More Women Build Skills and Get Jobs

NORTH BAY – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is launching a call for applications and investing $5.5 million, including an additional $496,000 this year in the Women’s Economic Security Program to expand and increase training opportunities for low-income women to equip them with the skills, knowledge and experience to find a job or start a business and increase their financial security.

“Our government has always been a champion of entrepreneurs and small businesses in our province,” said MPP Fedeli. “The Women’s Economic Security Program will support more women in the workforce that will benefit Ontario’s economy, especially in in-demand sectors such as the skilled trades. These careers provide good pay and benefits, and will empower women and girls across the province to succeed.”

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 participants, the training programs also include additional supports such as providing meals throughout the training day, transportation to and from training, and support in 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. The call for applications for eligible service providers looking to deliver the program is also now open. The deadline to apply is January 26, 2024, and information about the program and the application process is available at Ontario.ca/getfunding.

Investing in the Women’s Economic Security Program is one more way Ontario is removing barriers so more women can excel as entrepreneurs, in leadership roles, and in jobs where they are underrepresented like the skilled trades. In addition to $5 million invested in this program, Ontario is providing another $496,000 for projects this fiscal year. The additional funding is provided through the bilateral agreement on the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence in Ontario with the federal government.

Quick Facts

• Organizations funded under the Women’s Economic Security Program deliver employment, pre-employment, pre-apprenticeship, and entrepreneurship training to low-income women.
• Since its inception in 2018, the Women’s Economic Security Program has helped more than 2,100 women secure employment, become entrepreneurs or pursue further training and/or education. This includes helping 1,298 women start small businesses and 237 get jobs in the skilled trades.

Additional Resources

• Women’s Economic Security Program
• Available funding opportunities from the Ontario Government
• Ontario helping more women build skills and get jobs
• The Governments of Canada and Ontario sign bilateral agreement to end gender-based violence