Page 13 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE_July2024

Jill of All Trades getting
$100,000 grant

Conestoga has been selected to receive a $100,000 grant
from the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF) to support the Jill of
all Trades program.
The funding will be provided through the RHF’s Catapult
Canada Learning and Capacity Building Fund, which provides
annual grants to registered charities and non-profits aimed at
CONESTOGA COLLEGE PHOTO improving equity of learning access for youth and addressing
The college is also expanding in Milton with the Parkhill systemic gaps in the education system.
Drive campus that opened in January and the Steeles Avenue Conestoga founded Jill of All Trades in 2014, hosting workshops
location welcoming students this spring. and providing supports that give young women in grades 9
"Given our rapid growth Conestoga has been building its through 12 the opportunity for hands-on experience in the
design, construction and operations teams and is pleased skilled trades and learn more about the potential of a trades
to be working with so many construction professionals," said career from female mentors.
Conestoga's Tim Schill, vice-president, Facilities & Capital “The program helps create awareness of the opportunities
Development. "We are fortunate to have very professional that exist and advocates for women to diversify the workforce
contractors and sub-trades with the capacity to take on the and help address the shortage of skilled trades workers,” said
amount of work we are doing in the communities we serve." Rosie Hessian, director, Jill of All Trades.
Conestoga’s investment in construction projects is vital in Jill of All Trades events began expanding to campuses across
supporting the local industry and keeping skilled workers here. Canada in fall 2022 and made their debut in the United States
Construction spending has been rising steadily at the college in 2023. The funding will assist with Conestoga’s plan to
in the past few years from $72,500,000 in 2021-22 to $78,500,00 expand the program to 25 campuses across Canada and 20
in 2023-24 - an increase of more than $6 million in two years. in the United States by 2026, delivering more than 120 events
The proposed 2024-25 capital budget earmarks $189,900,000 that engage close to 50,000 participants.
for construction - a jump of nearly 2.5 times compared to the Through gender-specific programs and mentoring opportunities
previous year. Conestoga is also investing heavily in carbon such as Jill of All Trades, the college is a leader in education by
reduction efforts, planning $40 million worth of retrofits over encouraging women to pursue careers in under-represented
the next six years. and non-traditional occupations.

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