News Release

MP Pam Damoff recognizes International Women’s Day with launch of annual Young Women in Leadership program

Oakville North-Burlington -- Today on International Women’s Day, Pam Damoff, Member of Parliament for Oakville North-Burlington officially announced the launch of her 4th annual Young Women in Leadership (YWIL) program.   

The YWIL program, which will run from May 23-26, offers young women and gender non-conforming youth between the ages of 15 and 25 in Halton the opportunity to job shadow in a local business, agency, organization, or government. By investing in young Canadians, we are helping them build a stronger future and obtain the skills and experience they need to contribute to Canada’s economic growth.  

The goals of the YWIL program are to allow mentees to:

• Develop an understanding of different occupations in order to make informed career choices
• Increase knowledge of specific occupational skills and workplace settings
• Gain career readiness skills, including the “soft skills” that employers look for in entry level workers
• Build confidence in professional environments

The YWIL program returns in-person this year after a hiatus due to the pandemic. YWIL offers mentees in Halton the opportunity to try out potential career interests.  Both mentors and mentees learn from each other, make new contacts, and kick start career and educational paths.

The need for a career shadow initiative for young women came out of a roundtable on women’s empowerment hosted by MP Damoff on International Women’s Day in 2016.  A conversation about the challenges of young women meeting other women professionals in all types of careers to see, speak to, and learn from, developed into the program that matches both for a job shadow day.

The YWIL program is seeking local businesses, organizations, and community leaders to mentor a student during the week of May 23.  Mentors are expected to host a mentee for at least one day during YWIL week.  Participants will be paired with an organization that relates to their career interests and aspirations. Placements can be full-day or half-day and can be designed however the mentor thinks will create the most educational and engaging experience for the mentee. A networking reception will be held on the evening of May 25th to welcome mentees and mentors and celebrate the program.

Interested mentors should email [email protected] or call (613) 992-1338 by March 17^th to join the program.  Youth wishing to become a mentee should visit www.mpdamoff.ca to access the application form and submit it by March 29^th.

Contact:

Keri Schoonderwoerd

Communications Manager

Office of Pam Damoff, Member of Parliament, Oakville North-Burlington

[email protected]