A skills training program for farm workers also available.Ottawa-A new program launched by the Canadian Agriculture Human Resource Council (CAHRC) has proven to be a big hit. The Agriculture Leadership Program for Women attracted the 135 participants it was aiming for within 24 hours.CAHRC Executive Director Jennifer Wright welcomed the rapid positive response to the program, which was created as a national training initiative.It is intended “to help women tap into their leadership potential and form stronger networks as we build a robust, resilient agri workforce for future generations,” she said.The program is aimed at women working in industry associations and in agribusiness and its curriculum will consist of online training modules, webinars, and self-directed exercises.The program will run until next March 15 and offer participants opportunities to network and build connections with other women in the industry. It will 25 hours of training. Financial support will be provided for those who require childcare while participating in the training events.Studies show that increasing gender diversity improves productivity, profitability, and retention, Wright said. “For agriculture, which faces significant and increasing labour challenges in the coming years, increasing the proportion of women in the workforce at every level is crucial to success.”CAHRC is also offering an AgriWorkplace Skills Training Program-Wage Subsidy to help employers train and retain their workers in primary agriculture. “With this, we aim to overcome barriers that previous research has identified and offer employees the necessary abilities to better train their employees according to national occupational standards.”A wage subsidy of up to $5,000 for each trained worker is available to help reduce labor costs. In some instances, an enhanced wage subsidy of up to $7,500 is available.Employers will receive training through an On-The-Job e-learning demonstration to equip them with effective training methods to streamline the preparation of their employees, enhancing their productivity.The program will also give participants access to CAHRC's developed National Occupational Standards, specifically designed for the worker level in their respective commodity. This provides clear guidelines for skills and competencies, aiding in workforce development and standardization.Assistance is available through the program for employees who need help with transportation and childcare expenses. This support helps alleviate barriers to accessing training, making it more convenient for employees, CAHRC said.Successfully completing the program rewards participating employees with a completion bonus to recognize their commitment to skill development and overall program success.The program is aimed at producers of apples, beef, crops, dairy, greenhousing, mushrooms, and swine.