By Pepper Parr
August 12th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
If you are a woman who is considered low income, you may be eligible for pre-employment, pre-apprenticeship and entrepreneurship training through the Women’s Economic Security Program (WESP).
The training will help equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience to improve your economic security. If you are interested in applying to a WESP training program, please contact one of the organizations listed below to determine your eligibility.
This is an excellent program – well worth at least looking into. If it isn’t for you – pass it along to someone you think might fit.
There is training in four streams:
skilled trades
entrepreneurship for self-employment
information technology
general employment training
All programs include additional supports so you can focus on participating in the training programs. Supports may include:
food throughout the training day, and/or access to a food bank
transportation to and from the training program
support in finding child care
referral to mental health and wellbeing supports, counselling, housing and legal support
If this is something you want to follow up on here is the link to the people that can help.
Some projects also provide specialized programming and supports if you’ve experienced intimate partner violence or are at risk gender-based violence. Learn about intimate partner violence and how to get help.
Women in skilled trades
There is a great need for workers in the skilled trades and many jobs in the trades are high-paying and can offer long-term economic opportunities.
If you’re interested in exploring a career in the skilled trades, you can find women in skilled trades training programs at:
Canadore College – General Carpenter Pre-Apprenticeship
Centre for Skills Development and Training – Enhanced General Carpentry
Collège Boréal – Programme de préapprentissage en Charpenterie
The Conestoga College Institute of Technology – Women in Skilled Trades: Enhanced General Carpentry Program
CWB Welding Foundation – Women of Steel: Pre-employment Program
George Brown College – Women Transitioning to Trades and Employment (WTTE)
Humber College – Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship for Women
Six Nations Polytechnic – We Are Welders Women’s Program
Women’s Enterprise Skills Training (WEST) of Windsor – Industrial Mechanic Millwright CNC Pre-Apprenticeship Program
WoodGreen Community Services – CNC/Precision Machining Skills Training Program
Entrepreneurship for women’s self-employment
You can find entrepreneurship training programs for women’s self-employment at:
10 Carden Shared Space – Opening Opportunities
Connecture Canada – Hairstyling Entrepreneurship Training
Elizabeth Fry Society of Toronto – My Start-Up Program
Heritage Skills Development Centre – GTA Women Jumpstart to Success
Kingston Employment Youth Services – Creating Enterprise Opportunities
OASIS centre des femmes – Entrepreneurship Launchpad
PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise – ParoBiz – Women’s Business Development and Microloan Program
Scadding Court Community Centre – WE Hub
Women in information technology
You can find a Women in Information Technology training program at:
The Redwood Shelter – Women in Technology: IT Help Desk Technician
Seven Generations Education Institute – Azemiinagoziwin Telecommunications Program
YWCA of Greater Toronto – Mobile Application Development
General employment training for women
If you are interested in employment training, you can find courses and programs at the following institutions and organizations:
George Brown College – Fashion Exchange (FX) Women in Fashion TECH
YWCA Greater Toronto – Moving On To Success (MOTS)
La Cité Collegiale – Programme de préparation à l’emploi pour femmes francophones à faible revenu
Minwaashin Lodge – Courage to Soar Program
Again – if you’re interested here’s the link
As someone who worked and struggled to pay for all my education l think this is a wonderful opportunity for women. Both young and old. It is never too late to expand ones opportunities. The best way to be independent is an education in an area that needs new trainees. Go for it ladies!