As was also reflected in the questionnaire data, most women felt that the courses should be longer and should focus more on hands-on practice. Many said they did not have enough time in the shops. In some B.C. courses, women go through entry level trades training, along with the life skills and career development components. The entry level training explores all the areas anyone going into a particular trade or technology might need: blueprint reading carpentry, electrical, plumbing, learning to read technical writing and technical documents, learning to write out order forms, etc.

Of the 72 focus group participants, 73% had gone on to further training in a trade or technical area, and most of them want to work in an operational, professional, or technical field. Many had encountered disheartening discouragement and had given up while others were bound and determined to continue their search.

It is clear that most employers will not, without legislative pressure, hire women and other target groups for work they see as gender or racially stereotyped. Those who have recognized the potential of the vast majority of new entrants to the labour force are satisfied and often pleasantly surprised to find their capabilities match and often exceed the potential of traditional workers in the field.

Currently, the policy of EIC has been to eliminate the under- employed women from eligibility for CJS programs; this has led to a significantly diminished offering of WITT courses across the country due to lack of demand. We must insist that EIC allow CJS funding for those who are under-employed, as they clearly offer motivation and are the most successful at this type of employment.

For information on the methodology involved in this study, or a copy of the full report, contact Helen Gosine or Shelagh Jane Woods at EIC, 5th Floor, Phase IV, Place du Portage, Ottawa/Hull, K1A 0J9.

Patti Schom-Moffat is President of Karyo Communications, a Vancouver based social policy, research and communications firm. Her 12 years of experience include research into employment and job training issues, services for people with disabilities, and literacy. Marcia Braundy is the guest editor of this issue of Women's Education des femmes.