Ontario
Economic Development Grants

The Centre for Skills Development & Training, Women in Skilled Trades Enhanced General Carpenter Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Burlington
2009-2014: $150,000 over five years
The Women in Skilled Trades Enhanced General Carpenter Pre-Apprenticeship Program trains low-income women for a career in construction trades. The program features 28 weeks of in-class instruction, academic upgrading and a paid work placement to provide women with hands-on skills and experience. Funding from CWF will provide women with additional supports like transportation, childcare subsidies and tool allowances, to ensure they can fully participate in and complete the program.

Approximately 100 women will be trained and linked to sustainable employment through this program over the next five years.

MicroSkills Community Development Centre, Women’s Opportunities in Business, Trades and Technology
Etobicoke
2009-2014: $365,000 over five years
Women’s Opportunities in Business, Trades and Technology offers women training, mentorship and other essential supports that will help them make informed choices and decisions about their careers and lead them toward stable, long-term employment. The self-employment component helps women increase their incomes by providing business counselling, assistance with marketing, and other business support services. The skilled trades and technology component provides women with information on employment opportunities in the skilled trades and technology sectors, suitability assessment, and access to training and job experience.

Approximately 500 women will be trained through this program over the next five years.

Moose Cree Education Authority & Timmins Native Friendship Centre in partnership with Northern College, Women in Skilled Trades and Technology – Building Resilience and Self-Reliance Program
Moose Factory and Timmins
2009-2014: $365,000 over five years
The Building Resilience and Self-Reliance Program is a trades and technology program for Aboriginal women. Participants receive trades and technology training, health and safety instruction, education in life skills, critical thinking and employability, and sector-related upgrades in math and communications. The program also offers culturally-sensitive career development and empowerment through Guiding Circles.

Approximately 48 women will be trained and linked to sustainable employment through this program over the next five years.

YWCA Toronto, Skills Development Centre
2009-2014: $350,000 over five years
Scarborough
The YWCA’s Skills Development Centre is a social purpose enterprise (a business which provides goods and services to both earn revenue and achieve social goals) that operates as a community-based employment agency. The Centre offers a range of services to women and employers, including employment matching, paid work placements, computer training, on-the-job coaching, and small business services. For the women participating, this bridging program not only offers links and matches to jobs but critically needed “on-the-job” support.

Approximately 400 women will be trained and linked to sustainable employment through this program over the next five years.

Community MicroSkills Development Centre, Toronto: $270,200 (2003-2008)
The Business Counselling Services for Women Entrepreneurs program is for women who have started businesses that are still viable after six months to one year, but who are not yet economically self-sufficient. They must want to grow their businesses by identifying and implementing strategies to achieve business growth.

PARO, Thunder Bay: $260,200 (2003-2008)
PARO’s innovative Incubator/Accelerator program supports women during the launch and early growth of their small business ventures. They provide expert advice and help with developing strategies, financing support, information technology planning, alliance building and marketing.

YWCA of Greater Toronto, Toronto: $182,281 (2003-2008)
The YWCA’s LinksToJobs is establishing a community-based employment agency as part of the YWCA Skills Development Centre. The initiative offers a range of services to women and employers, including employment matching, paid work placements, computer training, on-the-job coaching, small business services and out-placement services. For the women participating, this bridging program will not only offer links and matches to jobs but also provide critically needed “on-the-job” support.

Women’s Centre of York Region, Aurora: $189,883 (2003-2008)
The Enterprising Women program focuses on self-employment development and training for low income women. Program topics include market research, business plan development, cash flow projections and budgeting. Follow up one-on-one business counselling is also included.