Today in Edmonton, Minister Ambrose, announced today an additional investment of more than $1.3 million in the Women Building Futures Training Centre. This brings total federal funding to $2,493,977.
This investment will further assist the conversion of a warehouse into a teaching centre to support the Women Building Futures training program. The training centre will enable the organization to accept more women into training programs and supply more apprenticeship-ready workers for Alberta's construction industry. Half of Alberta’s population, between 15 and 64 years of age, are female but represent only four per cent of the construction and oil and gas workforce.
“Today’s investment of more than $1.3 million is another concrete example of how our Government is helping women reach their full potential in non-traditional careers,” said Minister Ambrose. “This initiative strengthens Alberta’s labour force and supports our efforts to build stronger businesses and stronger communities.”
Women Building Futures has graduated more than 250 low-income women from their 16-week pre-apprenticeship training programs. Sixty per cent of these students were Aboriginal. Once this new training centre is complete, WBF can increase its capacity to help 400 women per year become qualified apprentices and skilled workers, which will strengthen Alberta’s labour force.
“Women are a significant untapped resource for Alberta’s construction industry,” said Tamara Hauglum, Chair of the Women Building Futures Board of Directors. “Our programs will provide women with the training, employment and mentorship they need to build better lives and achieve economic independence.”
