APPENDIX G

Dear Mr. Roberts:

I am writing in response to your letter dated October 7, 1983, regarding the Commission's Women's Employment Strategy and Plan of Action. A meeting of the representatives of the organizations who had originally met and submitted suggestions for the special policy paper on women in training, was held in Toronto in November, in order that we might respond together to the planned measures.

Following are our comments and questions related to the six point plan:

1. "Women are given priority on 30% of the seats on all skill and technical courses identified as non-traditional for women."
   
   The 30% seat priority for women on all identified non-traditional skills and technical courses is a good first step. We see intensified and improved C.E.I.C. counsellor training as essential if this goal is to be reached. We also point out that the previous 20% quota did not significantly improve women's enrollment in these courses. As recently as a few weeks ago, C.E.I.C. counsellors in Ontario with whom we have contact. had not heard of the 30% priority.
   
   We believe that counsellor performance review linked to C.E.I.C. goals is crucial. and that line staff must understand that there are consequences following from non-achievement of goals. To date, women who need training, and do not receive it. have borne the brunt of non-achievement of the 20% quota goal.
   
   We also suggest that a system of "reserved spaces" for women, which will not be turned over to men, as is the case now, will spur the search for appropriate trainees.