LIFT Philanthropy Partners makes multi-year commitment to Women Building Futures

EDMONTON, Alberta, Aug. 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LIFT Philanthropy Partners is pleased to announce its partnership with Women Building Futures to expand job training for women in Alberta's construction-related trades and heavy equipment operation.

Through to 2016, LIFT will invest skills, expertise and resources to support Women Building Futures (WBF) to enhance its business model, diversify funding sources, build organizational capacity and expand its outreach to engage more women across Alberta in the trades industry.

WBF offers its program to unemployed and underemployed women in Alberta. It improves women's financial stability through training, job placement and job retention support. To date, more than 875 women have completed one or more of WBF's training programs, with more than 90 per cent of graduates securing employment within six months. These graduates experience an average of 127 per cent increase in annual income upon securing trades-related employment.

Over the next five years, WBF aims to help over 6,000 more women into the industry. LIFT's investment will help WBF enhance its operations to meet this goal and position the organization for future expansion beyond Alberta, to benefit Canadians across the country.

Quotes:

"Women Building Futures has a proven model to train women for construction trades and heavy equipment operation, and help them secure meaningful employment. We look forward to supporting WBF expand its operations to help more women strengthen their financial future and contribute to Canada's economic prosperity."
-    Bruce Dewar, president and chief executive officer, LIFT Philanthropy Partners

"In the first few months of our partnership with LIFT Philanthropy Partners, WBF has already experienced invaluable benefits. We have more robust planning tools, stronger financial reporting processes and additional funding that LIFT's investment helped leverage.  Another key benefit is the strategic competencies coming to WBF through LIFT and its national partner network.  This unique collaboration is strengthening WBF's capacities to manage growth and change - a most amazing gift at just the right time."  
-    JudyLynn Archer, president and chief executive officer, Women Building Futures

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About LIFT Philanthropy Partners
LIFT is a not-for-profit organization that believes vulnerable and at-risk Canadians deserve access to the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in society. LIFT invests in not-for-profit, social enterprises and other organizations with proven results addressing health, skills development, education and employment in Canada. Through hands-on management and pro bono contributions from its national network of leading experts and businesses, LIFT supports social purpose organizations to improve their operations, accountability and measurement practices, so they can deliver meaningful, lasting impact in Canada.

About Women Building Futures
Women Building Futures, a leader in trades training for women, has extensive experience recruiting women into the heavy industrial workforce at a consistent employment placement rate of 90 per cent. WBF works to empower women to succeed in non-traditional careers, inspire positive economic change for women and forever transform the face of industry in Canada.

For more information:
Visit:     
liftpartners.ca
womenbuildingfutures.com

Follow:
@liftpartners

Join:     
LIFT on Facebook
WBF on Facebook

Watch:
LIFT on YouTube
WBF on YouTube