Equality in Education and Training

Education and training are essential ingredients in facilitating equality in the labour force. In recognition of this, First Ministers have made a commitment to expand learning opportunities for women to ensure their full and equal participation in the economic life of the nation.

Equality in education and training is the term used to highlight the measures necessary to achieve the goal of equality within educational and training programs across the country. These measures will ensure that the learning environment in primary, secondary and post-secondary educational institutions supports and encourages equality between women and men. Since the learning environment can extend well beyond the walls of the classroom, the principles of equality in education and training also applies to training in the work place and in other non-institutional settings. Equality in education and training involves changes in curricula, educational materials and policies to promote positive attitudes towards the abilities, accomplishments and aspirations of women. It also includes measures to ensure that women have fair access to education and training, and that the necessary support systems such as child care are available.

A special effort will be made to provide training opportunities for:

1. young women entering the job market for the first time:
2. women re-entering the job market:
3. women who need re-training or skill upgrading: and
4. women attempting to enter non-traditional fields.

In addition, training programs will be designed to meet the special needs and requirements of:

1. native women:
2. immigrant women;
3. disabled women; and
4. women in rural and northern communities.

First Ministers are committed to the principle that the participation of women in training programs should, as a minimum goal, reflect their overall representation in the work force, allowing for regional differences. As well, training should, wherever possible, be linked with income support, child care, pre-employment, and other supplementary programs to help women enter the work force.

Equality in Education and Training: A Framework for Action

First Ministers are committed to equality in education and training as a necessary prerequisite to achieving economic equality for women. It is with this goal in mind that First Ministers endorse the following measures, which together form a framework for action.

In implementing this framework, it is understood that the individual governments will determine which measures can be adopted immediately and which will be developed over the longer term, depending on their priorities and resources. It is also understood that implementation of the Framework for Action will involve continuing cooperation among the public, private and voluntary sectors.