Kitchener, Ontario — Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ont. is slated to get a slice of some newly announced skills trades funding as the RBC Foundation announced Wednesday that $650,000 of a total $3.5 million investment is on the way to support the national rollout of the college’s “Jill of All Trades” program.
The one-day workshop event directed towards young Canadian women was first developed by Conestoga College, and with this recent financial injection, is on track to begin rolling out the program at post-secondary institutions across the country.
With this funding, the college expects to engage more than 14,000 young women with entry-level trades experiences, while also using a portion to establish a Skilled Trades Talent Development hub to help individuals from underrepresented groups develop workplace skills.
“We are deeply grateful to RBC and the RBC Foundation for their partnership and investment in Conestoga and our students,” said president of Conestoga College, John Tibbits.
“Funding received through RBC Future Launch will provide opportunities for young people across Canada to discover their potential and launch successful skilled trades careers. It will also contribute to the well-being and prosperity of our communities by building an essential talent pipeline to address urgent skilled workforce needs.”
The college extended its Jill of All Trades program for the first time this year, having hosted an event alongside Centennial College in October, and aims to bring the program nationwide in the near future.
