​Huron-Kinloss secures $445,000 for Women in Construction program

Huron-Kinloss Township has secured a substantial investment of $445,275.00 in support of the Women in Construction program, made possible through the generous backing of the Ontario Ministry of Immigration, Labour, Training, and Skills Development.

The program’s success is attributed to the collaborative efforts of the township, Bruce County, UBC Local 2222, VPI Employment Services, Fanshawe College, and the Adult Learning Centre.

“With this substantial investment, we are empowering women in our community to forge rewarding careers in construction, fostering inclusivity and driving the growth of our township and surrounding communities,” said Huron-Kinloss mayor Don Murray.

“I appreciate that the Township of Huron-Kinloss continues to enable women to explore valuable careers in construction,” said Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, in making the announcement. “The additional investment of $445,000 will provide even more women with the skills to start life-long, lucrative careers in the skilled trades.

“And in doing so, we’re positioning women for success while addressing the need to attract more people to the skilled trades so we can we continue to Build Ontario - especially in Huron-Bruce.”

The program equips women with the hands-on skills and essential certifications needed to embark on a fulfilling career in the construction industry. Its primary goals are to promote diversity within the workforce, and to provide women facing employment barriers with an entry point into an industry that has been historically under-represented.

Introduced in August, 2021, with a subsequent round in April, 2022, and now in its third phase until March, 2024, the initiative has attained a remarkable 80-per-cent employment rate. It has proven successful in establishing pathways to fulfilling careers for a multitude of participants.

“We need all hands-on deck to build a stronger Ontario for our future generations,” said Ontario labour minister David Piccini. “That’s why we are proud to invest in programs like this, which are helping more women find meaningful work in the skilled trades and earn bigger paycheques for themselves and their families.”

The program's workshops have further solidified this success, with more than 50 women receiving job-specific certifications, contributing to the overall empowerment and professional development of participants.



Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson (centre) presents a cheque for $445,275 to the Huron-Kinloss Women in Construction program; with her, are Huron-Kinloss mayor Don Murray (left), chief administrative officer Mary Rose Walden, project co-ordinator Kristin Dimmick and workforce development co-ordinator Jason Wilson; photo courtesy of Huron-Kinloss Township