IT for low-income women in Ontario

August 24 2006 - The Ontario government minister responsible for women's issues Sandra Pupatello has announced funding of C$2.7 million over the next two years to provide additional information technology training for low-income women.

Sandra Pupatello said:

"The McGuinty government is on the side of low-income women in Ontario who want to improve their lives and the lives of their families. We are offering the training they need to get good jobs and become financially independent."

The Information Technology Training for Women program is aimed at providing low-income women with training and industry recognized certification in the IT sector. The training will be delivered by Conestoga College in Kitchener and the Community MicroSkills Development Centre in Etobicoke and Scarborough.

Community MicroSkills Development Centre president Linda Schultz commented:

"The government's continued support for the Information Technology Training for Women program is very welcome. We are committed to assisting the unemployed, with priority to women, youth, racial minorities and immigrants. MicroSkills aims to enable them to participate more fully in Canadian society and assist them in acquiring the skills needed to achieve self-determination and economic, social and political equality."

Over the past three and a half years, IT training has already been provided to low-income women through funding by the Ontario government of C$1.7 million.

"Employers need the kind of graduates that the Information Technology Training for Women program is delivering. It's encouraging to see graduates of this program thrive because they have been given the opportunity to pursue a rewarding career" said Chris Bentley, training, colleges and universities minister.

This is one example of government initiatives to help women achieve economic independence. Others include:

• A recent C$1.5 million investment in the Women in Skilled Trades program.
• Improving earnings incentives and employment supports to help social assistance recipients become more financially independent.
• Investing C$4 million per year in a new Employment Innovations Fund to expand job opportunities for Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program recipients.

Contact  HRM Guide Network