CME and Fiera Foods Announce New Scholarship Awards for Women in Manufacturing

OTTAWA, Sept. 5, 2018 /CNW/ - Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is pleased to announce the establishment of a scholarship awards program for women in manufacturing. In partnership with Fiera Foods, CME has created this scholarship to support the education of women who are planning to pursue a career in manufacturing. CME and Fiera Foods will award a total of 10 scholarships each in the amount of $4,000 beginning 2018 through to 2020.

"The manufacturing sector offers rewarding, innovative and lucrative careers for women but, unfortunately, only a small proportion of women, less than 6%, choose that path. This needs to change," said Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) National Board of Directors Chair Rhonda Barnet, President & COO of Steelworks Design. "By encouraging the studies of 10 deserving women who will soon enter the manufacturing workforce, the women in manufacturing scholarship awards will help shape the female role models of tomorrow and will be instrumental in bridging the gender gap."

"Canada's manufacturing sector is a pillar of our economy that presents rewarding opportunities for women. I am very proud that my daughter chose a career in manufacturing and I am looking forward to seeing more women have the chance to enter and succeed in our sector," said Boris Serebryany, President and CEO of Fiera Foods. "By partnering with CME, we're excited to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our scholarship recipients so they can help shape the future of the sector."

Four scholarships of $4,000 will be awarded this year to Canadian students who identify as female, are pursuing post-secondary studies or apprenticeship in a field relevant to manufacturing and, are planning to join the manufacturing workforce after graduation. Participants are invited to submit their application, a 1000-word essay explaining their interest in a career in manufacturing, by September 24^th.  

The recipients of the scholarship will be announced by Fiera Foods President and CEO Boris Serebryany on November 7^th as part of the CME 2018 Annual General Meeting and Manufacturing Conference.

For more details on how to apply for the scholarship, visit www.cme-mec.ca

About Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters:

Since 1871, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters has been helping manufacturers grow at home and thrive around the world. In 2016, CME released Industrie 2030 - a roadmap for doubling Canadian manufacturing activity by 2030. Our focus is to ensure the sector is dynamic, profitable, productive, innovative and growing. We aim to do this by strengthening the labour force, accelerating the adoption of advanced technology, supporting product commercialization, expanding marketplaces and, most importantly, ensuring a globally-competitive business environment. CME is a member-driven association that directly represents more than 2,500 leading companies who account for an estimated 82 per cent of manufacturing output and 90 per cent of Canada's exports.

About Fiera Foods:

Fiera Foods is a Toronto-based baked goods manufacturer supplying its wares to many of the largest grocers and restaurant chains in North America. Founded by two refugees in 1987, Fiera Foods has been committed to perpetually innovating and adapting to serve its valued customers for over three decades. Providing opportunities to underrepresented groups like women, refugees and recent immigrants is at the heart of Fiera Foods' DNA. Its strong employee base has helped make it a leader in quality, innovation, customer service and food safety. Company information at www.fierafoods.com.

SOURCE Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

For further information: Stefi Proulx, Director of Communications & Branding, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, 613-292-6070, [email protected]