RECOMMENDATIONS

1.  The Committee recommends that all federal government publicity relating to training and jobs undergo a gender-based analysis on an ongoing basis to ensure that women are portrayed in a wide range of non‑traditional jobs.

2.  The Committee recommends that the federal government develop, in partnership with provinces, territories, trade sectors, NGOs and other stakeholders, a proactive, integrated, sustainable strategy and commit the necessary funding to increase the participation of women in non-traditional jobs such as those in trades, technology and engineering.

3.  The Committee recommends that the federal government continue to promote the trades by continuing the apprenticeship grants and incentives both to the employer and apprentice to encourage young people, both male and female, to increase the number of women in non-traditional roles.

4.  The Committee recommends that the federal government negotiate clear targets and reporting requirements in its Labour Market Development Agreements and Labour Market Agreements, to ensure that training and apprenticeship programs funded through these agreements provide a choice of higher entrance and completion rates for women in non-traditional occupations.

5.  The Committee recommends that the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada continue to develop its capacity for gender-based analysis, including the application of culturally relevant gender-based analysis.

6.  The Committee recommends that the federal government sustain funding for the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy, and that it encourage its partners to use these funds to propose stronger orientation for preparing women for non-traditional occupations.

7.  The Committee recommends that the federal government promote the integration of women and other disadvantaged groups into non-traditional occupations by requiring gender equity provisions in federally funded building and infrastructure agreements.

8.  The Committee recommends that the federal government strengthen the special benefits provisions of the Employment Insurance program, to provide greater coverage for caring for family members, and work with its provincial and territorial counterparts to ensure that labour codes and practices reflect the need for work-life balance.

9.  The Committee recommends that in consultation with the provinces and territories the federal government fund an affordable nationally coordinated early learning and child care program in provinces and territories where one does not already exist and ensure equal federal funding for early learning and child care programs already administered by a province or territory.