There are many colleges across Canada that have been -- or are -- offering similar courses to women, although the number is declining rapidly as a result of changes in federal funding. What is remarkable about this program is its longevity. Staff at the program feel that its relatively high success rate is attributable to: its flexibility, in offering students the opportunity to develop individual programs within a comprehensive framework; its duration -- which was formerly 20 weeks; and its consistency. The program and its staff person have been and are available for referral and follow-up discussion for those who have gone through the program, but who may need some degree of occasional support in accessing further training, or deciding whether to apply for a particular job.

Another program which has been in operation for some time is in Toronto. In contrast to the program at Kwantlen College, West End Machining provides focused training in one particular skill area. The program has been in operation since July of 1982.

At West End Machining, there are 5 staff people and one apprentice who is a graduate of the program. Women who are interested in the training are invited in for an information session and then they are required to complete a one page mathematics test. If they are still interested and seem appropriate, they are then interviewed to make a final assessment. The program builds on the individual strengths and interests of each woman and lasts 10 months. Half of the student's time is spent in the on-site classroom. The other half is spent in the shop. Much staff time is used in helping each student to assess herself and where she is going. The program functions on a continuous intake basis. The staff members assist graduating women to find jobs, further training or apprenticeships. A total of 15 students are trained in one year. The funding is federally-based. Formerly, it came through the Job Corps program. Now the program is funded through the Job Development program of Canadian Jobs Strategy on one year contracts.

West End does follow-up at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after graduation. The staff have found that those graduates who have a very set long-term plan in mind -- often sole support mothers or older women who need stability of income -- usually are at the same company one year later. Those who are younger single women tend to move around more, trying out differing places of work.

Meanwhile, also in Toronto, a program training immigrant women in an emerging field -- computer-assisted design -- began in November 1986. The program was developed by the Immigrant Women's Job Placement Centre (IWJPC) , working in cooperation with George Brown College.

The Immigrant Women's Job Placement Centre found that a number of women coming to the Centre had education or training in a technical area from their home country but could not find suitable work in Canada. The Centre approached George Brown College with a proposal for programs in 4 occupations. Computer-Assisted Design (CAD) was chosen. A proposal was submitted to Canadian Jobs Strategy and approved. The first group began training in November 1986 and finished in July 1987.

The program is designed to provide immigrant women with training in an emerging technical field (CAD) that they have ability and interest in, so that they will be able to find a fulfilling. well-paying job.