Programs Serving Women Well
Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program for Baker/Patissier

Agency: Working Women Community Centre
Location: Toronto

Program Description:

The Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program for Baker/Patissier is a pilot project by the Working Women Community Centre (WWCC) in partnership with George Brown College and funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). The program ran from March 2006 to December 2006, with funding likely to be renewed for September 2007

The Pre-Apprenticeship helped women who have been out of the workforce develop tangible employment skills. This 36 week, full-time program was designed to tap into a skill set common among women who have stayed at home to raise children and maintain households. It consisted of both classroom courses on math, language for workplace, and communication skills, as well as baking, which were followed by two months in a paid work placement. The program fees at the College and the supplies (special knives, shoes, baker's uniform) were all covered by the funding. Upon successful completion participants received a Certificate from George Brown.

Eligibility:

Participants were individuals who are usually not eligible for free employment and training services because of their extended absence from the workforce. Successful applicants had been unemployed for a lengthy period of time, demonstrated a readiness to work, an interest in the program, and were willing and able to commit to the full timeframe.

Measures of Success:

Demand for this program was extremely high. Although it was an untested new initiative, 63 women applied. Of these, 20 individuals were selected based on the criteria above. Fourteen women completed their paid placements and thirteen are now employed in full-time permanent positions in Toronto-area hotels. Seven women received their Certificate from George Brown, and one is now pursuing post secondary education. All those that did not receive their Certificate are returning to George Brown to finish their math and English course requirements, and upon doing so, will receive their Certificate.

Another sign of the program's success was employer interest. All of the employers have committed to paid placements again.

Why It Works:

This program works because it meets the needs of a greatly underserved population: women who have been out of the workforce for an extended period.

The Pre-Apprenticeship grew out of feedback from clients of the WWCC who reported that they did not want mentoring, they wanted a job. As the demand for the Pre-Apprenticeship demonstrates, there are few programs that help women who have been out of the workforce re-enter. Participants were eager and tried hard, even when they found aspects of the program challenging. Having family support greatly helped them make the transition from the home into the classroom and workplace.

Challenges:

Participants were immigrant women who had stayed home to look after children and had few labour market skills. Most had not worked in long time and had never been in a college classroom. Many needed time to adjust to the learning environment and to working with others in groups. Access to adequate childcare, and language and academic skills were also challenges. The baking trade demands precision and so mathematical skills were required; the mathematics course was the biggest academic problem for participants.

The Effects of the LMDA on this Service:

WWCC does not receive funding from Service Canada so the Pre-Apprenticeship will not be affected by the LMDA. However, the program highlights the need for suitable training for women who have been absent from the workforce for lengthy periods. Presently government eligibility restricts this population from accessing many services that would help them return to the labour force.

For More Information:

The Working Women Community Centre web site: www.workingwomencc.org
Contact: Vanda Henriques or (416) 532-2824

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