CAWIC Announcement

TORONTO, Feb. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC), whose mission is to facilitate the success of women in the Canadian construction industry, is excited to make the following announcement:

Today CAWIC is pleased to announce that it is one of the recipients of funding from the Government of Canada through Status of Women Canada to promote women into leadership roles within the Canadian construction industry.

CAWIC is a volunteer led not for profit national association supporting the entry, retention and advancement of women within the Canadian construction industry through our core values of leadership, membership, mentorship and partnership.

CAWIC has received a federal funding grant of $249,900 for a three year project to conduct research and develop an action plan for construction industry employers, unions, alternative unions and open shop contractors across Canada to improve women's advancement into leadership roles within the construction industry. Our goal is to promote change, break down barriers, and create an action plan that makes economic sense both for the employer and the employee in construction.  CAWIC intends, through this project, to facilitate tangible, sustainable, measurable change within the Canadian construction industry.

CAWIC looks forward to working with the Ministry and our industry partners to promote the change that is needed within our industry now to address the shortage of skilled trades. We are actively seeking industry employer, union and educational partners to collaborate and make the project a success.

"The number one priority of our Government is jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. That is why we are supporting projects to expand economic options for women in communities across Canada." The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women.

"Today's announcement by the Federal Government and the initiatives of CAWIC will certainly promote and reinforce the contribution that women bring to the skilled trades.  We look forward to building our relationship with CAWIC and contributing to the success of this project." Valerie Vanderwyk, Joint apprenticeship Training Committee UA Local 67, Hamilton-Niagara.

"We are pleased to work with the Canadian Association of Women in Construction on this initiative and to support CAWIC and its mandate to promote women into leadership roles within the Canadian construction industry.  We have committed to actively supporting CAWIC to promote women into leadership roles within the sheet metal worker sector of the industry." Jay Peterson, Industry Development Representative, Ontario Sheet Metal Workers' & Roofers' Conference.

For further information on CAWIC and its activities, please visit our website - www.cawic.ca

SOURCE: Canadian Association of Women in Construction

Tammy Evans, CAWIC President
416.593.2986
[email protected]