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By rdnewsNOW Staff

Alberta

Province announces investment to support women in the skilled trades

Mar 9, 2023 | 5:04 PM

The Alberta government says it is providing $10.7 million to Women Building Futures to support women looking to build a career in the skilled trades.

Through Budget 2023, Alberta’s government says it is investing in women and empowering them to build rewarding careers. Over the next three years, $10.7 million is being earmarked to support Women Building Futures in their work while ensuring employers have the talent they need to grow their businesses.

Women Building Futures is described as a non-profit organization that helps unemployed and underemployed women explore a future in the skilled trades, where they can gain paid, on-the-job experience and build a career. Through employment training, support services, readiness workshops, affordable housing and more, officials say the organization connects women to employers while they develop job-ready skills.

“On International Women’s Day we celebrate the incredible potential of women’s economic empowerment,” said Kaycee Madu, Minister of Skilled Trades and Professions, on Wednesday. “By supporting Women Building Futures, Alberta is helping women gain job-ready skills to build rewarding careers in the skilled trades while ensuring Alberta’s prosperity.”

“More women are joining the skilled trades each year and I’m so excited to see that,” added Tanya Fir, parliamentary secretary for Status of Women. “Women Building Futures does such important work to prepare and support women looking at skilled trade careers and I’m thrilled that our government is supporting their work. This is great news for women, for families, for businesses, and for Alberta as a whole.”

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Government officials say as Alberta’s economy remains strong and continues to grow, it’s important the province’s skilled labour supply grows with it. Partnering with Women Building Futures to increase the number of women in the skilled trades is expected to offer new opportunities for well-paying, high-demand work while providing industry with access to crucial talent.

According to the government, about 5,700 women apprentices were registered in Alberta last year, a 20 per cent increase from 2021. While the number of women continues to increase, officials acknowledge there is more work to be done to alleviate the gender gap in the skilled trades.

“Stable operational funding for Women Building Futures during the next three years gives us the flexibility to keep our focus on helping unemployed and underemployed women remove barriers to successful careers in the trades. This is good for women and good for Alberta,” shares Carol Moen, president and CEO, Women Building Futures.

Alberta government quick facts

• Women Building Futures is a non-profit organization with 18 employment programs in six Alberta communities.
• Since 1998, more than 2,700 women have graduated from Women Building Futures training programs.