Federal government announces increased funding for women in construction
By STAFF REPORT
Construction Skills DevelopmentThe Government of Canada has pledged increased financial support to promote opportunities for women in the construction sector.
The Women in Resource Development Corp. will receive $250,000 in cash through Status of Women Canada for a three-year project to improve economic opportunities for women in the building trades in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The project includes developing an action plan with local stakeholders – industry, unions and government – to create opportunities that support advancing women in construction. It will also address barriers like the need for support in transitioning from education to employment.
The action plan will identify best practices and share them with other stakeholders to encourage even greater recruitment, retention and advancement of women in the construction sector.
The federal government selected this project under the theme of advancing women in non-traditional occupations as part of its recent call for proposals entitled Opening Doors: Economic Opportunities for Women.
In 2012, women represented 4 per cent of workers in construction trades and 20 per cent of workers in primary industries such as forestry, mining, oil and gas.
