Subjects: ECO, WOM, POL, CFG
Minister Ng announces funding for WE FOR SHE NextGen Leaders Program
Minerva BC will lead the program to match young women in grades 10-12 with mentors and champions
VANCOUVER, Nov. 16, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada knows that when women succeed, everyone succeeds. By supporting women and girls, reducing the gender wage gap, and increasing the number of women in leadership roles, the Government of Canada is helping to boost economic growth for all Canadians.
Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, announced $25,000 in funding to the Minerva Foundation for BC Women to develop the WE FOR SHE NextGen Leaders Program. Minister Ng made the announcement during the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade's WE FOR SHE 2018: Creating an Equal Future.
The WE FOR SHE NextGen Leaders Program will bring together young women in grades 10-12 with business leaders who will provide mentoring, and run leadership training workshops in school environments, to encourage more girls to pursue career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) industries and entrepreneurship.
The program will reach 1,500 young women from 10 schools across British Columbia.
Funding for this project is provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada and complements the Government of Canada's efforts to advancing gender equality priority interests.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada is proud to support the WE FOR SHE movement. The WE FOR SHE NextGen Leaders Program will help young women gain the skills and confidence they need to make bold career choices as leaders and entrepreneurs."
- The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion
"Like all parents, I want to see my daughters achieve their full potential as future leaders of our country. It fills me with joy to see initiatives like the WE FOR SHE NextGen Leaders Program that will help our children realize their ambitions, while creating economic prosperity for all Canadians."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minster responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada
"Minerva BC is committed to encouraging and developing the next generation of women leaders. The WE FOR SHE NextGen program creates opportunities for girls in BC to learn about leadership by connecting with positive female role models from business, government and community. Hearing stories and learning about different career paths, opens up new possibilities and can help break stereotypes about the world of work."
- Tina Strehlke, CEO, Minerva
Quick facts
- Almost two-thirds of women are in the labour force.
- Women have made important progress in pursuing higher education, with about three-quarters of those aged 25 to 34 having completed college or university, compared to two-thirds of men of the same age.
- Higher levels of education among women have translated into higher wages.
Associated links
Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @WD_Canada, @ISED_CA
Follow Canada Business on social media:
Twitter: @canadabusiness
Facebook: Canada Business
IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.
SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada
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