Funding cuts could slow progress for women in trades in Alberta

Published On

September 5, 2024

News Release

The recent adjustment to the Government of Alberta’s Foundational Learning Assistance (FLA) funding is significantly impacting the lives and economic security of many unemployed and underemployed Albertan women and gender-diverse individuals supported by Women Building Futures (WBF).

Citing the Government of Canada’s reduction in the Labour Market Transfer Agreements (LMTA) to all provinces, the Government of Alberta has cut WBF’s FLA allocation to 55 per cent of what the non-profit needs to support the tuition and living expenses of many Alberta students. Because of the significant reduction in funding, WBF is forced to cancel six classes this year in Edmonton, Calgary and Fort McMurray. This drastic change affects unemployed and underemployed Albertan women who rely on these opportunities to change their lives. The unexpected reduction in programming has also resulted in the job loss of several amazing WBF employees, also all women.

“Our Journey to Trades program is important in helping more women on their journey towards economically secure futures. The funding cuts are short-sighted and affect Women Building Futures mission, the women we serve, their children and the Alberta economy,” says Carol Moen, WBF president and CEO.

These funding cuts come at a time when the province needs more apprentices. With the six cancelled classes, there will be 90 fewer Albertan women connected to economic security this year, at a time when the economy is growing and industry needs skilled labour. Ultimately, this means fewer apprentices for the province this year and fewer women with good careers contributing taxes and participating in Alberta’s economy.

The province must recruit more than 63,000 additional workers in the next decade to keep up with the labour growth and the number of people retiring from the skilled trades. Industries will feel the effects of these funding cuts as they seek to hire and train more skilled workers to meet market demands. The intent is there: most Alberta government ministries have a mandate that prioritizes attracting more Albertans into the skilled trades and lifting the potential of women. Through our work, WBF knows that women are a critical part of strengthening the Alberta economy.

Women Building Futures has grown in Alberta due in large part to a close partnership with the Government of Alberta. “Their belief in our work has led them to invest in the growth of our programming to empower the potential of more Alberta women,” says Moen. “Government staff have been working hard to help us find solutions, but we’re disappointed that decision-makers elected to reduce funding at a time when the Alberta economy is growing.”

Investments in organizations like WBF change lives and positively contribute to the province’s growth and economy. Founded in 1998, WBF has helped women transform their lives by providing industry-recognized training in the skilled trades and transportation industries. WBF has honed a successful model of wrap-around supports and has strong outcomes. Over the last 26 years, WBF has graduated nearly 3,000 previously unemployed and underemployed women from its programs. During the 2023-24 calendar year, WBF graduated 244 Alberta women from our trades program. More than 80 per cent of them started well-paying careers in the trades and related industries within six months of graduation. In 2024-25, this number will be much lower in Alberta because of these funding cuts.

“Funding like the federal LMTA, provincial FLA and the Canada-Alberta Job Grant keep people and the economy going. We’re asking for the provincial government to work with us on ways to fully fund our work so we can continue to cultivate a circle of support for every unemployed and underemployed Albertan woman who sees a potential place for themselves in the trades. There is so much at stake for many,” says Moen.

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Quick facts

About Women Building Futures

Women Building Futures (WBF) is a non-profit organization that offers programs and support services to help unemployed and underemployed women explore and connect to careers that pay above a living wage. Our employment training programs provide the introductory skills to begin a new career in areas where women have been historically under-represented. Since 1998, WBF has supported thousands of women with the critical skills needed to enter the construction trades, driving and operating industries.

Learn more at https://womenbuildingfutures.ca/

• WBF expected $1.8 million in provincial Foundational Learning Assistance funding. Instead, the Government of Alberta provided just over half of that amount, $985,450.
• WBF has graduated nearly 3,000 previously unemployed and underemployed women from their programs in more than 26 years of operation, with a vast majority of them connecting into the trades and related industries in Alberta.
• WBF continues to establish operations in Saskatchewan and Ontario, where it will provide opportunities to underemployed and unemployed women and gender-diverse individuals to pursue and sustain resilient careers in the skilled trades in those provinces as well. WBF acknowledges the Government of Saskatchewan for bridging the shortfall in federal funding for employment and skills training to maintain programs and services in Saskatchewan.

Media Contact:

Elisabeth Baumgart
Communications Lead, Women Building Futures
Email: ebaumgart@womenbuildingfutures.com
Phone: 587-414-1725