New federal funding will help more women enter the manufacturing sector
Funding will support and promote women in manufacturing industries to advance gender equality in the sector
PETERBOROUGH, ON, Sept. 6, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to advancing gender equality and understands the important role that creating more opportunities for women in all aspects of Canadian life can play in promoting women's empowerment. By investing in projects that improve women's economic security, we are helping to ensure that women, their families and communities can prosper.
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, today announced that Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) will receive $498,000 in federal funding for a project that will increase women's participation in Canada's manufacturing sector. "Untapped Potential: Attracting and Engaging Women in Canadian Manufacturing" is a three-year project that will work to attract and inspire more women and youth to pursue a career in manufacturing.
CME will create regional networks to work with a national working group to attract more women into Canadian manufacturing professions and create more inclusive and diverse workplaces. The project will also develop a best practices toolkit for manufacturers to adopt and report on progress.
The CME 2016 Management Issues Survey indicated that nearly 40% of respondents are currently facing labour and/or skills shortages while 16% of businesses stated that ongoing shortages may force them to shift production and investment outside of Canada.
Canadian women make up 48% of our workforce, but only 28% of manufacturing jobs. Attracting women to the manufacturing sector is critical to helping these companies grow, filling job vacancies and replacing the existing aging workforce.
Quotes
"Our government recognizes that one of the keys to growing the economy is attracting more women to the manufacturing sector. By funding projects that aim to support and improve women's access to good, well-paid manufacturing careers, we are helping address immediate labour shortages, build a contemporary workplace where there are no gender barriers to success, and strengthen our economy for the benefit of all Canadians."
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Status of Women
"Generating sustainable economic growth and helping ensure all Canadians are full participants in the innovation economy is a priority for our government. We are taking real action to increase the representation of women in the labour force, while also taking concrete steps to provide women with the skills needed to succeed in tomorrow's economy. This will grow our economy while also providing women with good middle class jobs in all sectors, including the manufacturing sector."
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
"CME is grateful to the Government of Canada for supporting our Women in Manufacturing initiative. Our collaboration will help our members attract and retain women in manufacturing careers. Creating more inclusive and diverse workplaces is critical to supporting economic prosperity ? for Canadian women and, for our manufacturing industries."
Rhonda Barnet
Chair, National Board of Directors, CME and COO, Steelworks Design
Quick Facts
- RBC Economics estimates that adding more women to the workforce could boost the level of Canada's GDP by as much as 4 per cent.
- McKinsey Global Institute estimates that by taking steps to advance equality for women?such as employing more women in technology and boosting women's participation in the workforce?Canada could add $150 billion to its economy by 2026.
- There has been no increase in the share of manufacturing jobs held by women over the last 15 years.
- Only 5.6% of employed women in Canada have a job in manufacturing compared to 13.1% of all men.
- The Women's Program at Status of Women Canada supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance equality by addressing systemic barriers.
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Backgrounder
Status of Women Canada ? Women's Program
Status of Women Canada advances gender equality by providing funding to eligible organizations through the Women's Program. Projects are selected via calls for proposals on specific themes, as well as through a continuous intake process that allows the Women's Program to address emerging issues as they arise.
The Women's Program funds projects of up to three years that address systemic barriers to women's equality in three priority areas: ending violence against women and girls; improving the economic security of women and girls; and encouraging women and girls in leadership roles.
Funded Project
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is Canada's largest trade and industry association, and the voice of manufacturing and global business in Canada.
Founded in 1871, CME represents more than 10,000 leading companies nationwide, and ? through various initiatives, including the establishment of the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition ? touches more than 100,000 companies across the country, engaged in manufacturing, international trade, and service-related industries. More than 85 per cent of their members are small and medium-sized enterprises.
Collectively, CME's membership network accounts for an estimated 82 per cent of Canadian manufacturing production and 90 per cent of all goods and services exports.
Project Description
CME will receive $498,000 for their project "Untapped Potential: Attracting and Engaging Women in Canadian Manufacturing." This three-year project will work to increase the participation of women in the manufacturing sector. Untapped Potential will create regional networks to work with established national working groups to attract more women into Canadian manufacturing professions.
The organization will develop a women in manufacturing web portal with online career paths, career options and contacts in STEM and the manufacturing industry. This will, in turn, result in advancing women's and youth awareness of opportunities for prosperity and security in manufacturing careers.
CME's mentorship model and women role models will help address gender bias and stereotypes for women in trades and assist Canadian manufacturers in attracting and retaining women in manufacturing careers.
They will use the expertise of organizations, such as KPMG LLP and Tenaris, both recognized leaders in diversity, to develop a best practices toolkit for manufacturers to adopt and create a more inclusive and diverse workplace.
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