Component: Economic Empowerment – Other

Services Delivered: Women’s Economic Leadership and Legacy (WELL) Fund

Service description

The WELL Fund: High Growth Sectors and Indigenous-Focused streams will fund projects that are designed to address barriers for experienced, diverse women who want to remain and advance in high growth sectors.

People served

Experienced, diverse and underserved women, including Indigenous, immigrant and newcomer women, in Ontario’s high growth sectors.

Service features

The Program/Services contracted by the Ministry will reflect the following features: innovative services that introduce new or expanded initiatives supported by evidence and that will have a measurable impact for participants in achieving outcomes.

Specific service provided

  1. Services to retain or promote women in high growth sectors (mandatory)
    • Examples: mentoring, sponsorship, training/professional development, coaching, sector/career navigation, networking.
  1. Services to foster conditions for women to succeed in the workplace (mandatory)
    • Examples: Inclusive workplace culture training, flexible work policies, peer support circles, culturally safe spaces.
  1. Wraparound services to support participation (optional)
    • Examples: Referrals to access childcare, mental health supports.

Service Goals

  • Increased retention, promotion and leadership of women and Indigenous women in high growth sectors and their communities
  • Safer and more inclusive work environments to retain women in high growth sectors
  • Improved networks to support participation in high growth sectors

Ministry expectations

  • Projects should be time-limited and demonstrate how they will identify, recruit and enroll women already working in these sectors to participate in the project, and the steps they will take to minimize barriers to participation and ensure participant safety.
  • Projects should become integrated within the area served, to draw from and support participants in the relevant communities.
  • Partnerships (formal, contractual collaborations with organizations that contribute directly to the delivery of the project) are strongly recommended to enhance project delivery, ability to achieve intended project outcomes and sustainability.
  • Where applicable, projects should provide wraparound supports to assist participants to access the programs and services offered.

Reporting requirements

Service Data NameDefinition
Ministry Funded Expenditures: Women’s Economic Leadership and Legacy (WELL) FundTotal ministry-funded expenses for the transfer payment recipient to administer and/or deliver this service in the reporting year (cumulative).
# of individuals served through the projectThe total number of unique individuals who directly received services, resources, or support as part of the project activities.
# of participants who accessed wraparound supports (note, only mandatory for projects offering wraparound supports)The number of project participants who utilized additional, holistic supports beyond core services (e.g., childcare, mental health services). Applicable only to projects offering wraparound supports.
# of participants who reported increased resilience and emotional well-beingThe number of participants who self-report improvements in their ability to cope with challenges and maintain emotional well-being as a result of project participation.
# of participants still employed with the same employer after project implementationThe number of participants who remain employed with the same employer they had during or immediately after the project, measured at a defined follow-up point.
# of participants who feel it is likely they could receive a future promotion or wage increase following project participationThe number of participants who express confidence that their involvement in the project has improved their chances of career advancement or increased earnings.
# of businesses/partners organizations implementing retention and/or advancement practices for women to succeedThe number of businesses or partner organizations that have adopted and are actively applying strategies or programs aimed at improving women’s retention and advancement in the workplace.
# of participants who reported increased confidence and ability to act towards goalsThe number of participants who self-report greater confidence and proactive behaviour in pursuing personal or professional goals as a result of project participation.
# of participants who reported the service improved employment and/or leadership opportunitiesThe number of participants who indicate that project services have positively impacted their ability to secure employment or advance into leadership roles.
# of participants who reported a new leadership role or new responsibilities from the services providedThe number of participants who experienced a promotion or salary increase after completing the project, measured at a defined follow-up point.
# of women who feel they have the supports and conditions to remain in the sector beyond 5 yearsThe number of women who report confidence in having adequate workplace supports and favourable conditions to sustain long-term careers (5+ years) in their sector.
# of businesses/partners reporting increased knowledge for safe and supportive workplaces to enable women’s retention and advancement in high growth sectorsThe number of businesses or partner organizations that acknowledge improved understanding of practices that create safe, inclusive, and supportive environments for women in high-growth sectors.
# of businesses/partners that embedded gender equity practices into formal policies and procedures (e.g., flexible scheduling, peer support circles, culturally safe spaces) into formal policies, procedures, and performance frameworksThe number of businesses or partner organizations that have formally integrated gender equity measures into their official policies, operational procedures, and performance evaluation systems.