YELLOWKNIFE - The federal and territorial governments are funding a $1.7 million three-year project to get women into the mining industry.

"This is the largest project coordinated by the Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories to date," Lynn Brooks, president of the Status of Women council, said in a statement read by Sharon Thomas, the executive director at the press conference held at the Ligislative Assembly last week.

"Women are wanted because they are needed," Thomas said, explaining why the governments are supporting the initiative.

Thomas said that she could foresee only one challenge to the program.

"I think the biggest challenge for us is getting the women into the courses."

The program offers courses aimed at helping women adjust to the mining, oil and gas workforces as well as training to prepare them for the strenuous physical end of the job.

Women who complete the course will also receive help with daycare costs as well as follow-up over the next two years to gauge the success of the course.

Thomas said she didn't think that sexism would be an issue in the workforce for the women, so long as they have the support of employers.

"We're hoping that employers will work with their employees."

Brooks said existing courses aren't geared towards women.

"They do not provide the level of support that is being offered through the Northern Women in Mining, Oil and Gas project," she said in the statement.