Women on Prince Edward Island who are unemployed or underemployed and have been seeking a new career opportunity, are gaining exposure to trades and industrial technology careers, says Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning Richard Brown.
“Our Government is proud to support initiatives like Trade HERizons. Not only do women bring new ideas, skill sets, and abilities to the trades and technologies, but they also contribute to a diversified workforce,” said Minister Brown. “By diversifying our workforce in Prince Edward Island, we are strengthening it now, and for our future generations.”
The Trade HERizons project offered through Women’s Network PEI recently began its 12-week Career Exposure and College Prep Program, which provides hands-on learning opportunities in welding, plumbing, electrical, gas engine turbine, precision machining, automotive, power engineering, and carpentry through learning sessions at Holland College. The participants will also be exposed to job shadowing, labour market research, career development including resume writing and interview skills, conflict resolution training, career and safety training, team building, and more.
“This will be our seventh Trade HERizons cohort. We’re pleased to have excellent relationships with SkillsPEI and local employers, and to offer exceptional programming for women interested in trades on PEI,” said Sara-Roach Lewis, Executive Director of Women’s Network PEI. “It’s our goal to move women from unemployment or underemployment to sustainable livelihood, and careers in the trades can do this.”
“I’m looking forward to this wonderful opportunity to better myself in life and in my career,” said Trade HERizons 2016 participant Christine Lykow. “My son is my inspiration for taking Trade HERizons. I’ve encouraged him not to end up living pay cheque to pay cheque. He’s planning on attending Holland College upon graduation. It’s my plan to join my son, shoulder-to-shoulder, in the next step of our career journeys in trades and industrial technology.”
Trade HERizons has been made possible by funding from the Province through the Canada-PEI Labour Market Development Agreement and the Canada-PEI Job Fund Agreement and the participation of community partners.
For more information on Trade HERizons, visit http://www.wnpei.org/trade-herizons