The Women in Trades and Technology Program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic has received a $1 million donation to improve and promote the program, as well as provide an annual scholarship.

The donation came from Orano, a uranium company headquartered in Saskatoon. Disbursed over ten years it includes an annual scholarship to an exceptional female student enrolled in a trades or technical program at Sask Polytech.

Sask Polytech President and CEO Larry Rosia says the money will provide women with further access to certain programs, like mentorship opportunities, workshops and exploratory training sessions, and hopefully address the lack of diversity in the trade industry.

Orano Canada CEO Jim Corman says, “Orano is committed to hiring more women at our McClean Lake operation, ensuring pay equity and advancing women to more senior and supervisory positions.” He hopes his investment will result in increased gender diversity in the trades, as well as students considering employment in the mining industry.

Allison Zerr is head of programming for WITT and says women account for 47 per cent of the Canadian labour force, but represent only 5 per cent of the most in-demand trades across Canada.