HURON-KINLOSS – The township is excited to announce investments of $285,702 and $289,759 to the Women in Carpentry program, supported by Ontario’s Ministry of Immigration, Labour, Training and Skills Development.
The program’s success is due to the partnership between the Township of Huron-Kinloss, UBC Local 2222, VPI Employment Services, Fanshawe College and The Adult Learning Centre.
“We need all hands on deck to build a stronger Ontario for all of us,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “Our government is proud to be funding the Women in Carpentry program to help more women find meaningful work in the skilled trades so that they can earn bigger paycheques for themselves and their families.”
The Women in Carpentry program provides women with hands-on skills and certifications needed for the job site with the goal of diversifying the employee base of the carpentry trade. The initial version of the program began in August of 2021 with a second session of participants in August of 2022. The program has seen an impressive 80 per cent employment rate and has paved the way towards a rewarding career for many of the participants.
Said one participant in the program: “The Women in Carpentry Course set me up for success in a career that I was trying so hard to get into for five years prior. I started losing hope and thinking I would never be able to get into any trade. The Women in Carpentry Course completely changed that for me. I was given learning skills and hands-on skills and basic tools needed to start a job. They helped me find a placement with someone willing to teach me how to do the job. This is the best decision I’ve made my entire life. Wouldn’t change it for anything.”
