Component: Economic Empowerment Program

Legislation: N/A

Service Description

  • The Women’s Economic Security Program (WESP) is designed to provide employment, pre-employment, pre-apprenticeship and entrepreneurship training to equip low-income women with the skills, knowledge and experience to increase their income and economic security
  • Training, programs and services are provided based on community-identified needs and to address labour market gaps in sectors where women have historically been underrepresented
  • The program has four streams
    1. Women in Trades
    2. Women in Information Technology
    3. Women’s General Employment Training
    4. Entrepreneurship for Women’s Self-Employment
  • The program includes mandatory program supports and services to help remove barriers to participation in and completion of the training programs

People Served

Low-income women including individuals from priority populations including Black, racialized, Indigenous, Francophone, newcomer, immigrant and refugee women, women who have experienced or are at risk of gender-based violence/sexual violence, women with disabilities, rural women, lone mothers and 2SLGBTQQIA+ and non-binary individuals.

Program/Service Features

Mandatory Supports

  • All projects are required to ensure training and delivery staff are equipped with the knowledge and sensitivity to employ a gender and diversity lens when delivering services
  • All projects are required to help remove barriers for low-income women’s participation in the training programs. The following mandatory wrap-around supports are to be provided
    • Transportation to and from the training program
    • Food on site during the training
    • Assistance in finding childcare
    • Referral to services and supports to address needs including legal, counselling, housing, etc

Specialized Violence Against Women (VAW) Supports

  • All projects have the option of offering specialized supports to participants who are survivors of, or are at risk of gender-based violence, in addition to the mandatory wrap around supports. Projects must include partnerships with appropriate project partners (e.g. women’s centres, shelters, sexual assault centres, etc.) to help deliver this project component
  • The specialized VAW supports must provide participants with supports that may include but are not limited to
    • Culturally appropriate individual counselling/referral, risk assessments and safety planning
    • Specialized VAW module included in the training program
    • Moderated weekly support group
    • Information, advocacy and support/systems navigation
    • Workshops provided by professionals or trained specialists in working with individuals who have experienced gender-based violence

Specific service provided

Stream 1: Women in Trades Stream

In recognition of the fact that women are underrepresented in the skilled trades, this stream aims to support their entry to the sector. Funded organizations must ensure that training includes the following

  • Focus on one principal trade and one or more related secondary trades
  • Completion of Level 1 Apprenticeship In-School Curriculum Standards for the principal trade delivered by a provincially approved training delivery agent for the trade
  • Work placement (minimum of 8 weeks to a maximum of 12 weeks) according to the MLITSD
  • Multiple trade exposure through work placement(s) and/or other methods (e.g. job shadowing, mentoring, etc.)
  • Training must not exceed 52 weeks (260 days in duration); and
  • Include relevant safety training for the trade, (e.g. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, Workplace Health and Safety, First Aid, etc.) All safety training must take place prior to the work placement
  • Program graduates should be able to secure entry-level employment in the skilled trades sector, enroll in further training and certification, or become an apprentice in one of the skilled trades recognized by Skilled Trades Ontario

Stream 2: Women in Information Technology (IT) Stream

  • Programs must include training and certification towards an industry-recognized certificate for IT related jobs. Participants must take part in exam preparation and take industry-recognized certification exams before completion of the program
  • Programs must include a work placement at a minimum of 8 weeks to a maximum of 12 weeks where participants are provided with relevant and applicable work experience for a minimum of 8 weeks in the IT area in which they received training
  • Program graduates should be able to secure entry-level or higher-level employment in the IT sector, enroll in further training and certification, or become an apprentice in one of the IT trades recognized by Skilled Trades Ontario

Stream 3: General Women’s Employment Training Stream

  • Funded organizations provide employment training in sectors and fields that are a maximum of 12 months in length
  • Programs must include a work placement (minimum of 8 weeks to a maximum of 12 weeks) where participants are provided with relevant and applicable work experience in the training they received

Stream 4: Entrepreneurship for Women’s Self-Employment

  • Funded organizations must ensure training includes, but is not limited to, the following components
    • Small or micro-business plan development
    • Financial literacy/budgeting/accounting
    • Product/service development
    • Customer acquisition
    • Tax, legal, government regulations and insurance guidance
  • Mentorship
    • Funded organizations must ensure that participants are partnered with a mentor with experience in starting or expanding a small business or a micro-enterprise. Mentors should be able to share their knowledge and experiences in areas including
      • General sector information
      • Networking
      • Troubleshooting
      • Goal setting
  • Access to Loans and Grants
    • Funded organizations must provide participants with support to access loans or grants. Loan or grant funding may be available through commercial or alternative lenders or other municipal, provincial, or federal granting programs

Program Goals

  • To provide employment training, pre-apprenticeship training and entrepreneurship training specifically for low-income women to equip them with the skills, knowledge and experience toward becoming employed/self-employed and increase their income and economic security
  • To provide training that is based on community-identified needs and address labour market gaps in sectors where women have historically been underrepresented such as the skilled trades, Information Technology and entrepreneurship
  • To increase incomes and labour force attachment of women in Ontario who face multiple barriers
  • To strengthen organizations' capacity to deliver on their mandates in innovative ways that encourage partnerships between women-centered community-based organizations, educational institutions, and businesses

Ministry expectations

  • All projects are to include information on risk factors for lethal violence and steps that can be taken to reduce this risk (e.g. providing referral information)

Reporting Requirements

The following service data as well as expenditures will be reported on at an Interim and Final stage. Additional data may be requested at the discretion of the Ministry. Please refer to your Transfer Payment Agreement for report back due dates and targets.

Service Data Name Definition
# of participants who started the program The number of participants who are enrolled in the training program at the beginning of the cohort.
# of participants who completed the program The number of participants who completed the in-class training (and work placement – where applicable for Skilled Trade, IT and general employment streams).
# of participants who participated in VAW workshops during the program The number of participants who participated in violence against women (VAW) related workshops offered by the Service Provider.

If VAW related activities and/or services, are not provided through your program, put “0”.
# of participants who received referrals to VAW services during the program The number of participants who were referred to services related to violence against women (VAW) support during the course of the program.
# of participants who began a job, paid apprenticeship, self-employment or took further training The number of participants who at 6 months after completion of the program* began a job, paid apprenticeship became self-employed or pursued further employment training, education or upgrading.

*Includes completion of work placement if applicable.
# of participants who increased their knowledge, skills to better equip them for employment The number of participants who reported that participating in the program increased their knowledge and skills to better equip them for employment opportunities or to become self-employed.
# of participants who reported improved economic security The number of participants who reported that participation in the program had enabled them to improve their economic security.