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IMPACT OF THE CANADIAN
JOBS When the B.P.W. proposal was originally submitted to the Canadian Employment and Immigration Commission (CEIC) in October of 1984, the Canadian Jobs Strategy (C.J.S.) had not yet been developed. The B.P.W. was funded, in April 1985, partially from the Institutional Training Program and partially from Job Corps (which has since been abolished). The implementation of C.J.S. was not encouraging to the B.P.W.: our broad-ranging approach to all women and our focus on bridging (i.e. generic training), rather than on skills training, do not fit easily within the new criteria. CCLOW members and B.P.W. staff felt that to tailor the program to the narrow C.J.S. criteria would destroy the integrity of the program and force us to abandon our goals and philosophy. Research indicated that between 21% and 30% of the participants in the first year would not have satisfied the C.J.S. criteria. (Most of these women would have been ineligible because they were attached to the labour force, albeit in part-time or low-skill jobs.) We applied to the Saskatchewan Government to provide funding for a portion of the program so that it could continue intact. This money was provided as a special grant for one year. After some discussion, C.E.I.C. officials agreed to continue to provide training allowances for those women who do not fall within the C.J.S. criteria as a special grant for one year. They are funding the majority of the program (approximately $500,000, excluding training allowances; the provincial contribution is approximately $150,000) under the Re-Entry/Entry Skill Development and Job Development categories of C.J.S. Thus, although its long- term future is not clear, the B.P.W. will continue for at least one more year in Regina. PLANS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR During 1986-87, the B.P.W. will continue to serve the women of Regina. To accommodate more women employed in unsatisfactory or threatened occupations, more night courses will be offered. Rising costs will make it a struggle to maintain the quality and breadth of the program on a frozen budget. Still, the very existence of the B.P.W. seems like a miracle. Its continuance requires a vigilant commitment from the staff, the advisory committee, CCLOW members and various supportive provincial and federal government officials. The on-going evaluation should prove valuable, not only for this program, but for other adult education programs as well. We believe the evaluation will prove that the extra money invested in support services is worthwhile because of reduced drop-out rates (a costly effect in most educational programs) greater long-term success, higher rates of placement and, ultimately, self-sufficiency for participants. Carol Ariano is the President-Elect of CCLOW. Note: 
The Bridging Program for Women |
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