Backgrounder - New federal funding will help more women enter the manufacturing sector

Status of Women Canada – Women’s Program

Status of Women Canada advances gender equality by providing funding to eligible organizations through the Women’s Program. Projects are selected via calls for proposals on specific themes, as well as through a continuous intake process that allows the Women’s Program to address emerging issues as they arise.

The Women’s Program funds projects of up to three years that address systemic barriers to women’s equality in three priority areas: ending violence against women and girls; improving the economic security of women and girls; and encouraging women and girls in leadership roles.

Funded Project

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is Canada’s largest trade and industry association, and the voice of manufacturing and global business in Canada.

Founded in 1871, CME represents more than 10,000 leading companies nationwide, and – through various initiatives, including the establishment of the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition – touches more than 100,000 companies across the country, engaged in manufacturing, international trade, and service-related industries. More than 85 per cent of their members are small and medium-sized enterprises.

Collectively, CME's membership network accounts for an estimated 82 per cent of Canadian manufacturing production and 90 per cent of all goods and services exports.

Project Description

CME will receive $498,000 for their project “Untapped Potential: Attracting and Engaging Women in Canadian Manufacturing.” This three-year project will work to increase the participation of women in the manufacturing sector. Untapped Potential will create regional networks to work with established national working groups to attract more women into Canadian manufacturing professions.

The organization will develop a women in manufacturing web portal with online career paths, career options and contacts in STEM and the manufacturing industry. This will, in turn, result in advancing women’s and youth awareness of opportunities for prosperity and security in manufacturing careers.

CME’s mentorship model and women role models will help address gender bias and stereotypes for women in trades and assist Canadian manufacturers in attracting and retaining women in manufacturing careers.

They will use the expertise of organizations, such as KPMG LLP and Tenaris, both recognized leaders in diversity, to develop a best practices toolkit for manufacturers to adopt and create a more inclusive and diverse workplace.