Natural Resources
June 15, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources:

New Scholarship Encourages Women to Pursue Trades and Technology Education

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to highlight an exciting new scholarship program being offered by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and the Women in Resource Development Corporation which will provide financial assistance to women in our province pursuing trades and technology education.

The program will award eight students with a scholarship of $2,000 each. These funds can be applied toward the cost of pursuing post-secondary education at any public or private institution that offers select programming, including powerline technician, construction or industrial electrician, industrial mechanic, heavy duty repair mechanic, welder, carpenter, automotive service technician and heavy equipment operator.

Women are currently under-represented in trades and technology occupations in this province and this funding will help remove educational and employment barriers, and financial challenges women may encounter in pursuing their career.

For those interested in learning more about this scholarship, full program details can be found on the Women in Resource Development Corporation's website at www.wrdc.nf.ca .

Mr. Speaker, the Women in Resource Development Corporation and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro are committed to increasing women's participation in trades and technology. Certainly, we are all committed to ensuring that women throughout the province share in our economic prosperity, and that they do so directly through the development of our natural resources.

Since 2007, through the Skilled Task Force Report, our government has committed more than $100 million to support initiatives to help apprentices. The Office to Advance Women Apprentices was created in 2009 and has helped women make significant gains in the skilled trades. The office works collaboratively with the Provincial Government, industry, labour and other key groups to achieve its goals. We are continuing our efforts to help ensure under-represented groups such as women, persons with disabilities and Aboriginal persons have the opportunity and necessary skills to secure employment.

The Provincial Government is fully committed to supporting women pursing educational, employment and business opportunities within industry and we are pleased to see that same commitment coming through joint initiatives such as the scholarship program highlighted here today. Thank you.

2015 06 15                              1:55 p.m.