George Brown, Hilti Partner to Support Women

GEORGE BROWN, HILTI PARTNER TO SUPPORT WOMEN

George Brown College has partnered with Hilti Canada to help women build rewarding careers in the skilled trades. Through a $40,000 financial contribution, Hilti is helping to expand George Brown College’s Women Transitioning to Trades and Employment (WTTE) program by providing access to industry expertise and hands-on learning.

The WTTE program was established with funding from the provincial government through the Office of Women’s Issues, with a mandate of increasing the economic security of low-income women by providing opportunities for women in the skilled trades. Statistics show that women make up about 48% of the Canadian labour force yet hold less than 4% of jobs in the skilled trades. In Ontario, women make up roughly only 7% of employment in trades, transport and related occupations. The new partnership aims to reduce barriers to participation and success in the trades by offering

women and other underrepresented groups access to scholarships career planning, networking, mentoring/ coaching, job shadowing, as well as employment opportunities.

To ensure students have access to industry-leading products and start their careers well equipped, Hilti is also donating approximately $100,000 worth of training tools. Graduates of the program will also receive a new tool kit to help lessen the financial burden of having to purchase news tools.