Women continue to be under-represented in the skilled trades and information technology sectors despite the growing demand for labour in these occupations. The Women in Skilled Trades and Information Technology (WIST/IT) program, funded by the Ontario Women’s Directorate, offers an opportunity for low-income women who are unemployed or under-employed to gain gender-sensitive in-class training and on-the-job training to prepare them for employment in these occupations.
The Skilled Trades stream provides pre-apprenticeship training geared towards increasing the number of women in skilled trades. Following graduation, women are qualified to enter a variety of high-demand skilled trades jobs and apprenticeships.
The Information Technology stream enables women to secure employment, further training and certification in the IT sector, or to enter IT apprenticeship programs. As a result of this initiative, women are prepared for well-paying employment in the information technology sector, and employers are able to recruit and retain more skilled workers.
Occupations include:
- Customer Care Agent
- General Carpentry
- Electrician
- Horticulture Technician
- Information Technology Applications and Technical Support
- Network Administration, Web Design and Development, IT Business Analysis and Applications Development Programs
- Technical Support Agent
The WIST/IT program is delivered through funding to training delivery agencies in communities where skill shortages have been identified or are projected by local employers and labour market information.
Grant Opportunities
Approved Grants