The Ontario government is providing $230,000 to support a jobs program being launched by the Sudbury Women’s Centre.
Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli made the announcement in a press release this week. The Pathways to Employment program assists those facing significant barriers to employment in finding a job.
“This program will support clients seeking employment who face higher barriers of entry, such as women, Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of at-risk communities, in obtaining gainful employment,” the press release states.
The Pathways program is funded through the provincial Skills Development Fund.
“As we continue to tackle the labour shortage, the Ontario government’s Skills Development Fund is helping people in Sudbury get the training they need so that they can get jobs they can be proud of and earn a bigger paycheque for themselves and their families,” Fedeli said.
The Sudbury Women’s Centre’s Pathways to Employment program launches June 15. Once operational, it will provide clients with education, training and practical work experience such as administration, retail sales and advertising. It is estimated that this program will help 28 women over the next year.
“Our program will provide clients with education, training, and practical work experience and enable them to develop a range of skills to increase their employability and secure an income to provide for their families,” said Giulia Carpenter, executive director of Sudbury Women’s Centre.
“Our centre helps several women facing violence; often, these clients do not feel comfortable seeking services outside the Centre. Our ability to provide both formal training and on-the-job experience within our Centre allows clients who have experienced violence a safe place to begin their entry into the workforce.”
The province’s Skills Development Fund is open to a wide range of applicants, including employers, industry associations, labour unions, municipalities, hospitals and many more. In addition to supporting one-year projects, the fund also allows funding over several years to support longer-term projects.
The program goes live on June 15. Those looking to register can contact the centre at 705-673-1916, ext. 100.
