The Provincial Government is investing more than $600,000 to deliver a multi-faceted, skilled trades training initiative for Indigenous women in four northern and remote communities.
Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox, the minister responsible for the status of women, and Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere made the announcement today.
Cox says this is an essential step for indigenous communities.
“Our government is committed to advancing economic equality for women by supporting programs and initiatives that help more women succeed in non-traditional work industries that provide sustainable and reliable employment opportunities and help to support healthy and vibrant communities. We are proud to partner with industry leaders and Indigenous and northern communities to provide these unique and forward-thinking programs that will play an important part of Manitoba’s post-pandemic social and economic recovery.”
The four communities chosen to participate in these programs are Pinaymootang First Nation, Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Dakota Tipi First Nation and York Landing, with training already underway in Pinaymootang and Pimicikamak.
MCSC will deliver training in framing, water and waste-water installation and blast hole drilling, all skills in high demand.
Lagimodiere spoke of this announcement as crucial for the advancement of economic growth:
“It is important to provide Indigenous women the tools, training and support they need to build a career in a field with good-paying jobs, employee benefits and job security, which is often hard to acquire in northern and remote communities. Targeted job training for Indigenous women is critical for the advancement of economic reconciliation, as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, and will help to improve the lives of Indigenous women, their families and the communities they live in.”
Training begins with a three-week job readiness course. It includes safety training certification from the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba and a one-day workshop on women in the trades.
More than 8,000 skilled workers are expected to retire in Manitoba this year. There are currently not enough skilled labourers to take over these jobs. There is a need to replace an ageing workforce in the skilled trades.
