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March 8, 1999
(Human Resources and Employment)


Program to prepare women for key roles in natural resources sector

Increasing women's participation in the province's natural resource sector is the primary objective of the Women in Resource Development Committee (WRDC) and today, during an announcement in St. John's, the committee received funding for a three-year project under the federal/provincial Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA). The project may reach funding levels of up to $1.7 million based upon clients' eligibility under the current Employment Insurance Act. The WRDC will begin negotiating details with both governments to ensure LMDA criteria are met and that together the project is a success. The WRDC will also begin discussions with the College of the North Atlantic with the goal of forming a partnership in support of this project.

Participating in today's announcement were Senator Joan Cook, on behalf of Pierre S. Pettigrew, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada; Julie Bettney, Minister of Human Resources and Employment and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women; and WRDC co-chairs Brenda Grzetic and Joyce Hancock, who is also president of the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

The project, entitled The Untapped Resource, focuses on the need to improve economic and employment equality for women in the natural resources sector of the province, which is the goal of the WRDC. The focus of the project is to reduce the barriers that have resulted in only a small number of women in this province finding employment in the natural resources sector. The WRDC proposal was developed following a series of province-wide consultations and outlines a number of activities aimed at increasing women's visibility in employment in all resource development areas.

"This province-wide initiative reflects the vision of the federal/provincial Labour Market Development Agreement which focuses upon partnerships as the means to improve individual and community economic stability," said Senator Cook. "The Women in Resource Development Committee has targeted a critically important area for women in this province and the much needed support they intend to provide will not only create new opportunities for women, but it will contribute to the overall goal of increased employment in Newfoundland and Labrador."

"With significant growth in industries such as hydro development, mining and oil and gas, it is important that women are prepared to take advantage of the many opportunities in this area," said Minister Bettney. "Since women have not traditionally worked in these areas, they need to be supported and encouraged to seek careers in these growth sectors. The Untapped Resource Project is exciting because of its multi-faceted approach. Through partnerships, the Women in Resource Development Committee is developing a variety of approaches to address barriers women traditionally face in the natural resources sector."

"In the long term, this project will benefit both women and employers in the province. Women will benefit by having increased awareness, access, employment and community support in the natural resource development sector," said Grzetic. "Employers will benefit by being able to draw from a larger pool of potential employees and by being better able to retain their current female employees. They stand to discover an Untapped Resource."

"The advisory council has worked since 1980 on issues of women equality, participation and integration," said Hancock. "This funding is a tangible recognition that this work requires a sustained focus and appropriate funding."

The Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) is a co-managed agreement between the federal and provincial governments, administered by Human Resources Development Canada and Human Resources and Employment. The LMDA partners work closely with individuals, communities and other stakeholders to help clients meet measurable and achievable educational, employment and economical development goals. In addition, the LMDA partners work together in the design and management of Canada's employment benefits and support measures, ensuring they complement Newfoundland and Labrador's labour market programs and services.

Media contact:

Joe Greene                                       Donna Meade                       Women in Resource
Acting Regional Manager                  Women's Policy Office         Development Committee
Communications, HRDC                  (709) 729-5730                    (709) 753-7270
(709) 772-5346

1999 03 08 11:30 a.m.


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