TABLE 9 shows the change in the age groupings of women trainees funded under the National Training Act from 1977/1978 to 1983/1984, and the marital status of these women in 1983/1984 (marital status was not recorded for 1977/1978).

Note that:

• There were more women in the 25-44 year old category and fewer women under 20 in training programs in 1983/1984 than in 1977/1978.
  
  This may indicate a shift in focus from training younger women (who may be continuing their "formal" education) toward training "re-entry" women (women who are returning to the workforce after being absent for a number of years).
  
  
• Although married women comprise 61% of the population age 15-64, they represent only 41% of trainees.
  
  Since all women experience discrimination in the workforce and typically need more education and training to compete for jobs with men, it follows that all women need access to training. Thus, it is unfortunate that sub-groups of women (i.e., single, married, re-entry, etc.) are put in the position of competing with each other for an already inadequate share of available training.

TABLE 9

CHANGES IN AGE AND MARITAL STATUS OF WOMEN
TRAINEES UNDER THE NATIONAL TRAINING ACT
1977/1978 - 1983/1984

N/A:     Data not available.

Source: Employment and Immigration Canada Annual Statistical Bulletin, 1977/1978, 1983/1984.