The Sudbury Women’s Centre has received a $170,000 funding grant through the Ministry of Labor, Training and Skills development to provide employment navigation and skills training.
Specifically, the program will create an “employment-skills referral and paid training and work program for low-income or unemployed women in the community,” said a press release from the organization.
The Sudbury Women’s Centre is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to providing information, referral and support services to women who have been impacted by violence and/or difficult life circumstances.
The program will see the women’s centre refer clients to partnering services so they may receive general employment skills training.
Those clients will then get the chance to put those skills into action, gaining customer service and retail experience through a temporary paid work placement at My Sister’s Closet, a social enterprise at the Sudbury Women’s Centre selling gently used women’s clothing and accessories for just $1 per item.
The hiring of an Employment Navigator will allow the women’s centre to develop the program, and assess appropriate skills training needs, along with recommending additional wraparound supports available through the Sudbury Women’s Centre or its partner organizations.
“We are so grateful to Minister McNaughton for allowing us to create valuable work experience opportunities for women in our community,” said Giulia Carpenter, executive director.
“Many women face barriers to entry into the workforce, and through this program, we will open the doors to better women’s economic situations by increasing their employability in a safe, judgement-free workplace while securing an income to provide for their families.”
For more information on the SWC, and any of its programs, please call 705-673-1916 or email [email protected] for the Pathways to Employment program.
