The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, were joined today by representatives from the Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Council of Carpenters, Millwrights and Allied Workers, the Carpenters Millwright College and the Office to Advance Women Apprentices to announce approximately $424,000 in wage subsidies for women apprentices.

"Through a partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Council of Carpenters, Millwrights and Allied Workers, and the Office to Advance Women Apprentices, the Provincial Government is proud to support the administration of a new, timely and effective wage subsidy program for women apprentices," said Minister Sullivan. "This funding will provide a one-stop approach that coordinates employer, union and wage subsidies to assist in accessing employment opportunities for aspiring women apprentices. By the end of the agreement, 35 women apprentices will have secured employment within the provincial skilled-trades labour force."

"This announcement today offers employers a great incentive to hire women apprentices and this is one of several initiatives we have established to support apprentices in obtaining their hours," said Minister King. "I encourage businesses to take advantage of this subsidy and to be an active partner in building a qualified workforce needed for economic development in this province."

The Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment delivers a range of employment and training programs and services under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement, including the Wage Subsidy Program, to assist individuals to prepare for, find and keep employment; assist employers in accessing the workers they need; and, help ensure that communities and regions throughout Newfoundland and Labrador are well equipped to respond to labour market opportunities and challenges.

"We are very pleased to be able to partner with the Provincial Government to enhance employment opportunities for women apprentices in our province," said Gus Doyle, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Council of Carpenters, Millwrights and Allied Workers. "It is very important that all parties contribute to encouraging women to enter the apprenticeship system and ultimately achieve journeyperson status. The Provincial Government is to be commended for providing leadership and support through the Wage Subsidy Program which will be administered by the Office to Advance Women Apprentices."

The Office to Advance Women Apprentices will work with the regional council to secure potential employment opportunities for the female apprentices, negotiate wage subsidies for the individuals and administer the wage subsidy agreements.

"Our government works hard to ensure that women have every opportunity to become engaged in the provincial work force," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources, and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. "These new wage subsidies echo the important work we are doing for resource industries throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. As Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, I am proud of the opportunities we are providing for female apprentices to work and live here for many years to come."

"Our office is honoured to support the Provincial Government and the Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Council of Carpenters, Millwrights and Allied Workers to assist women in advancing in their chosen trade through this new wage subsidy initiative," said Ashley Turner, Executive Director of the Office to Advance Women Apprentices. "Government should be applauded for their progressive efforts to increase women's participation in non-traditional trades, particularly through the leadership of the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women."

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