Programs to attract women to trades and tech sectors given a boost
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The province is funding two new programs geared at training young women for men-dominated trades.
Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox announced on Monday, International Women’s Day, $25,000 to expand the Empower program at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology which will help fund the training of 20 women in the growing information and communications technology industries.
Another $25,000 is going to support the Manitoba Construction Sector Council to encourage young women in Grade 12 in partnership with the River East Transcona School Division to get into the heavy construction industry. Women make up only 3.4% of the heavy construction workforce in Manitoba, and with the industry playing a big role in the province’s COVID economic recovery, there will be thousands of jobs available.
“The challenge for us to attract women, whether it is to trades or technology, I think is partially because of the fear of the unknown,” said Beverlie Stuart, acting vice-president of academics at MITT. “You have to see yourself in that career to have the confidence to pursue it. The percentages are quite low in both trades and tech, but we are working with our government partners and with industry to change that dialogue, to change that perception of the opportunities for women in both trades and technology.”
Twitter: @JoshAldrich03
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