Ontario Helping Women Get Training and Land Jobs

Government investment funded the Women in Construction program in Huron County

December 15, 2023

HURON-KINLOSS  — The Ontario government invested $445,000 in a project that offers women training in practical carpentry and construction safety skills in the township of Huron-Kinloss. This initiative was supported through the government’s Skills Development Fund, a program that offers funding to a wide range of organizations for innovative projects that address Ontario’s labour shortage and stimulate growth in key sectors of the provincial economy.

Participants in the Women in Construction program will be introduced to safe use, care and maintenance of hand, portable and stationary power tools used in construction and finishing carpentry along with portions of the carpentry level 1 curriculum. The program will also provide additional supports to reduce barriers and provide preemployment training such as math upgrading and workshops focused on soft skills.

“Learning a skilled trade can give you a job for life, that’s why it is important to help women access these in demand careers,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron – Bruce. “I was to glad see this investment in the Township of Huron-Kinloss and had the opportunity to see some of the results of this educational opportunity first hand.” 

Women in Construction will also provide one-day hands-on info sessions where women can explore the opportunities available in other construction trades. There will also be a greater emphasis placed on employer engagement, recruitment and education.

“With this substantial investment, we are empowering women in our community to forge rewarding careers in construction, fostering inclusivity and driving the growth of our Township and surrounding communities,” said Mayor of Huron-Kinloss, Don Murray.

Earlier this year Ontario also made a series of changes designed to make the skilled trades more accessible to women by ensuring they have access to at least one women’s-only washroom on jobsites and properly fitting equipment such as uniforms, boots and safety harnesses.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is investing in innovative training programs that help people find good jobs close to home,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “I‘m proud to support the Women in Construction program to give the next generation of girls a hand up to better jobs and bigger paycheques.”

The Skills Development Fund Training Stream is open to a wide range of applicants, including employers, industry associations, labour unions, municipalities, hospitals and many more. In addition to supporting one-year projects, the fund also allows funding over several years to support longer-term projects. This enables interested organizations to receive funding to provide skills development services and training through a more flexible and tailored approach.

The funding announced today builds on the government’s continuing mission to attract, support and protect workers, and to make Ontario the best place in the world to work, live and raise a family. In addition to the over $860 million Skills Development Fund Training Stream, the province recently also launched a capital (Bricks and Mortar) stream of the Skills Development Fund to help build and upgrade training centres across the province.

Quick Facts

  • So far, the Skills Development Fund has supported 596 projects, aiming to help  almost 522,000 people around the province take the next step in their careers.
  • There are 225,000 unfilled jobs in Ontario
  • The Skills Development Fund is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.  

Additional Resources