Job shadow success for inaugural Young Women in Leadership Program

MP Ellis visited several participants in their placements throughout the week and noted he was impressed by both the students’ and mentors’ enthusiasm.

Four Prince Edward County Gd. 10 Venture Enrichment students from Prince Edward Collegiate job-shadowed mentors this month with other Bay of Quinte residents participating in the inaugural Young Women in Leadership Program (YWIL).

The program, initiated here by Bay of Quinte MP Neil Ellis, offered young women from Belleville, Quinte West, and Prince Edward County an opportunity to job-shadow a mentor in a local business, agency, organization, or office. The mentoring program was designed by MP for Oakville North-Burlington, Pam Damoff, to create opportunities for young women to increase their knowledge and understanding of career options, but also to develop skills and build confidence in professional environments.

Participants from high school, college and university were matched with an organization that relates to their career interests and aspirations; ranging from firefighting to medicine, trades, non-profit, business services and more.

County residents participating included Bella Cole who paired with skin theorist Dee Thiru

County residents included Elle Ball, who paired with Heather Maga, a coding programmer at Loyalist College; Bella Cole who paired with skin theorist Dee Thiru; Maddy Young who paired with Jill Dennis Raycroft, CEO at the Belleville Chamber of Commerce, and Trinity Roche, who paired with Dr. Billy Jayne Campbell Prinzen, Optometrist.

The goal of the YWIL program is to empower young women in the Bay of Quinte by building up their experience of different workplace sectors, especially those that are traditionally considered to be “male-dominated”.

MP Ellis visited several participants in their placements throughout the week and noted he was impressed by both the students’ and mentors’ enthusiasm.

“I am so pleased with the community support for the Young Women in Leadership Program here in the Bay of Quinte, and would like to extend my thanks to all of the businesses and organizations for participating,” said Ellis. “Seeing these young women learn from successful mentors in a variety of sectors gives me confidence that they will be able to make more informed decisions about their futures, as well as give them the inspiration to pursue any field or career they choose.”

Ten participating workplaces included Loyalist College’s IT and Skilled Trades departments; Community Organized Support and Prevention; John Howard Society’s Quantum Program; Quinte Business Accounting Services; Belleville Chamber of Commerce; Skin Theorist; Quinte West Fire Department; Dr. Billi Prinzen Optometry and BCS Automation.

“Young women in the Bay of Quinte are truly eager to learn and grow their workplace skills,” said Ellis. “Some of the participants knew exactly what they wanted in a future career; some of them were looking for more direction. All of the young women have demonstrated they are ready to be leaders in their community.”

FACT SHEET (Source: Ministry of Industry, Statistics Canada, and Melissa Moyser PhD. “Women and Paid Work”. Women in Canada: a Gender-Based Statistical Report, 7th ed., Statistics Canada, 2017. www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-503-x/2015001/article/14694-eng.pdf)

– In 2009, 58.3 per cent – which represents 8.1 million women – were employed in Canada
– During economic downturns, young women from ages 15 to 24 are often the most impacted. During the most recent downturn, female employment in this demographic fell from 60.3% in 2008, to 57.1 jper cent in 2009
– Approximately 7 out of 10 part-time employees in 2009 were women, a figure that has changed little in three decades
– In 2009, nearly 1 in 5 part-time female employees stated they worked part-time hours because of restrictions due to personal or family responsibilities, such as caring for children
– Young women aged 15 to 24 were three times more likely in 2009 to hold temporary employment, compared to women aged 45 and older
– In 2009, 67 per cent of all employed women were working in teaching, nursing and related health occupations, clerical or other administrative positions, or sales and service occupations. Employed men account for 31 per cent of these roles.
– Women comprised 37 per cent of managerial positions in 2009, as well as 31.6 per cent of senior management being female