Federal Government Contributes $2.5M to Alberta Women Building Futures Society for Trades Skills Training

May 30, 2019

The federal government has announced it will provide funding of $2,487,055 to Women Building Futures Society in Alberta for its Expanded Delivery of WBF’s Journeywoman Start Blended Learning Program, which will support 900 women apprentices. This project is funded through the new Women in Construction Fund, which supports projects building on existing models that have proven to be effective in attracting women to the construction trades. These include mentoring, coaching and tailored supports that help women to progress through their training and find jobs. 

The project will expand the organization’s successful learning program to women in rural and remote communities around Alberta in order to prepare women to succeed in trades training and careers, and to address barriers to progression and completion of apprenticeships.

“Women Building Futures is honoured to have received this funding to support the expansion of our training. For over 20 years, we’ve delivered exceptional training in Edmonton and we look forward to expanding our training to women in other communities in Alberta,” said Kathy Kimpton, President & CEO of Women Building Futures.

Approximately 2,000 women are expected to benefit from the Women in Construction Fund which is receiving funding of $10 million over three years, starting in 2018-2019. 

Employers, provinces and territories, learning institutions, unions, community organizations and individuals all have key roles to play in Canada’s continued success in building a skilled, mobile and certified workforce that supports Canada’s labour market.

“The skilled trades represent high-quality, well-paid middle class jobs that are critical to Canada’s economic growth. By funding this project, we are building a more diverse construction workforce, providing women with the necessary support to launch well-paying careers in in-demand construction trades,” said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.

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