Last Friday, May 30th, PTP was invited to the launch of On-Track’s new program called Trading Up for Women hosted by Centennial College. PTP and On Track are community partners with a shared vision to better serve those aspiring to work in the skilled trades.

PTP had the honour of thanking Ontario’s Minister of Labour, the Honourable Brad Duguid, for his keynote address and Sue Allen, Coordinator, Women in Skilled Trades program at Centennial College for her riveting and truly inspiring speech. Both are extremely supportive of this new initiative.

‘Trading Up’ is a newly designed pre-employment development program that will support and guide women into apprenticeship.

The program will focus on creating a ‘wrap around’ service model that will include reaching out to a variety of community partners to ensure that all participants have the support needed to successfully pursue a career in the skilled trades.

Trading Up will be using PTP’s career exploration tool Building for the Future: Career Exploration in the Skilled Trades as part of their programming to ensure women choose the ‘right trade’ and have excellent training plans to support them on this challenging and rewarding path.

For more information on On Track’s new program call 416-283-5229 or visit their website at http://get-on-track.net.

Watch for PTP’s new research report titled Filling the Gap: Building communities to support the aspiring apprentice to be published in July.

Claudia Abello, Senior Manager Employment Services, PTP, the Honourable Brad Duguid, Minister of Labour, Barbara McFater, Executive Director, PTP

Barbara McFater and Sue Allen, Coordinator, Women in Skilled Trade, Centennial College