NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2008SBR0058-001829 Dec. 3, 2008	Ministry of Small Business and Revenue Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development
FUNDING SUPPORTS WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

VICTORIA – Women in British Columbia’s science and technology sector are receiving $53,950 in funding from the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development.

 

The funding for the Wired Women Mentorship Program was announced today by Kevin Krueger, Minister of Small Business and Revenue, and Murray Coell, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development.

 

“According to the most recent Small Business Profile, 36 per cent of self-employed businesses are led by women,” said Krueger. “Ensuring female entrepreneurs are given access to programs such as Wired Woman will help increase the number of women working in British Columbia’s vibrant science and technology sector, while encouraging awareness of this field and supporting our economy.”

 

“Small business in British Columbia is dominated by high tech-related firms,” said Coell. “We are pleased to support this mentorship program in partnership with Small Business and Revenue, to help women take advantage of these opportunities.”

 

The Wired Woman Mentorship Program is currently in its second year of providing women who are entering or re-entering the science and technology sector with quality one-on-one mentoring relationships with executive-level technology professionals.

 

Key components of the program include mentoring supported through educational opportunities such as workshops and industry networking events. This funding builds on the $60,375 provided in January 2008.

 

“We are delighted that the Province has continued to lend its support to Wired Woman,” said Marnie Larson, Vancouver chapter director of Wired Woman. “These funds allow us to enhance and expand our mentorship program by developing tools, such as an online mentoring initiative, to increase opportunities for women across British Columbia.”

 

 

Since 1996, Wired Woman, a Canadian non-profit society, has created an open, nurturing, integrity-based environment that encourages women to explore opportunities in technology, science and new media and to build successful careers that will allow them to become a driving force in these growing sectors.

 

-30-

Media contact:	Christine Wood Communications Director Ministry of Small Business and Revenue 250 387-4193	Richard Chambers Communications Director Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development 250 952-6508 250 361-7241 (cell)
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.