On June 3, the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, announced Government of Canada funding for a new project to increase economic opportunities for women in communications and technology careers during the Canadian Telecom Summit in Toronto.
Women play a vital role in ensuring Canada has a highly skilled, competitive, and innovative workforce capable of meeting the challenges and opportunities of the global digital economy. Small and medium-sized enterprises across Canada are in need of talent in high-demand, emerging and established occupations.
The Advancing Tech Women in Non-Traditional Sectors Initiative (ATW) will be focused on increasing retention and advancement opportunities for women in information and communication technology careers within four fields: construction, manufacturing, natural resources, and skilled trades. A national advisory committee with champions representing four sectors will be developed, along with virtual working groups (including CEOs, senior managers, men and women) to review human resource policies and procedures of companies in each sector. The organization will also facilitate ongoing knowledge sharing by identifying and adapting best practices and existing tools from leading Canadian organizations into a virtual “Women in Information and Communications Technology Information Centre”.
“Our Government is demonstrating strong leadership through a balanced budget, and a low-tax plan for jobs, growth and security. The actions we have taken to support the participation of women in Canada’s digital economy highlight what we know – that when women succeed, Canada succeeds.”
The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
Investments and interventions have been actively made to attract and retain women within ICT roles across all sectors. This project will capture these successes including organizations and sectors who are making huge progress in reducing the gender gap and will develop and implement customized, sector-specific interventions to support organizations and sectors experiencing difficulties with attraction, retention and career advancement of women.
“We welcome the opportunity to partner with the Government of Canada on this project to increase retention and advancement opportunities for women in information and communication technology career, and to strengthen the role of women in Canada’s digital economy.” says Namir Anani, President and CEO of the Information and Communications Technology Council of Canada
This project is funded by the Status of Women in Canada.
For further information, contact
Stephanie Wilson
Manager, Talent Innovation
s.wilson@ictc-ctic.ca | 613.237.8551;147
or
Samantha Sjodin
Communications Specialist
s.sjodin@ictc-ctic.ca | 613.237.8551;130
