Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island highlight success of training investments
News Release
March 1, 2017 Charlottetown, PEI Employment and Social Development Canada
More workers in Prince Edward Island will get training support for in-demand jobs, thanks to additional funding support from the Government of Canada. Rodger Cuzner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso (Nova Scotia), on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, along with Sonny Gallant, Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning, made the announcement today.
The federal government is investing an additional $1.2 million through the Canada–PEI Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA), and an additional $204,827 through the Canada–PEI Job Fund agreement, the province’s share of the additional funding announced in Budget 2016.
The announcement took place at Sekisui Diagnostics, an international company that develops and manufactures innovative medical diagnostics, one of many employers in the province to benefit from Canada Job Grant funding. Sekisui Diagnostics received over $66,000 through the Canada Job Grant to provide training for 117 employees using the Lean Six Sigma methodology to improve product and service quality. In addition, funds were approved for Sekisui Diagnostics to hire and mentor recent graduates.
Prince Edward Island’s Department of Workforce and Advanced Learning works to develop, attract, and retain an educated, skilled and engaged workforce to grow the economy.
To strengthen and grow the middle class and support those who need help entering or returning to the workforce, the Government of Canada transfers almost $3 billion annually to provinces and territories to support employment and skills training programs.
Quotes
“We are dedicated to helping Canadians in the middle class and those working hard to join it. Through these agreements, we will continue to work with PEI to improve access to quality training that helps Canadians get good jobs.”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
“This grant announcement is an excellent example of the kind of support needed to upgrade skills and boost the Canadian economy. Now more than ever, Canadians need opportunities to improve their skills so that they can succeed and remain in today’s job market.”
– Rodger Cuzner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso (Nova Scotia)
"We are very pleased to work collaboratively with the federal government through the LMDA and the Canada Job Fund Agreement. These agreements are instrumental to assist Prince Edward Island employers to train new and existing workers to meet today's workforce demands and prepare for the future."
– Sonny Gallant, Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning
"We appreciate the additional funding we received from the Labour Market Development Agreement and the Canada Job Fund. With this government funding, our company was able to hire more graduates and offer a high level of training that has helped our company remain competitive in the global market while making our work safer and more efficient for our employees."
– Brian Stewart, Plant Manager, Sekisui Diagnostics
Quick Facts
- PEI currently receives approximately $25 million annually through the Canada–PEI Labour Market Development Agreement, to support skills development and employment services.
- Under the Canada–PEI Job Fund Agreement, PEI receives over $2.2 million to support employment and skills training programming.
- Through Budget 2016, the Government of Canada invested an additional $125 million in 2016–2017 for the Labour Market Development Agreements and an additional $50 million in 2016–17 for the Canada Job Fund.
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Contacts
Jean-Bruno Villeneuve
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
jeanbruno.villeneuve@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
819-654-5613
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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Kim Devine
Workforce and Advanced Learning
902-620-3688
kmdevine@gov.pe.ca