Helping workers on Prince Edward Island develop the skills they need to find good jobs

April 15, 2021              Gatineau, Quebec            Employment and Social Development Canada

As the Canadian economy recovers from the impact of COVID-19, workers are facing new challenges. Residents of Prince Edward Island and all Canadians need access to training and employment supports to develop new skills and find good jobs.

Today, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, and Prince Edward Island’s Minister of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture, Matthew MacKay, highlighted that the Government of Canada has provided an additional $1.5 billion for training Canadian workers through the Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs) with provinces and territories. The Government of Prince Edward Island has received $6.4 million to help respond to the increased number of workers on Prince Edward Island looking to re-enter the workforce, particularly those in hard-hit sectors and groups disadvantaged as a result of the pandemic.

Supports include skills training, on-the-job training, employer-sponsored training, financial assistance and benefits, employment counselling and services, and job opportunities. This funding is in addition to the $3.4 billion already being provided to support Canadian workers under the Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs) and WDAs in 2020–21. Each year, over a million individuals across Canada receive employment benefits and supports under the labour market transfers.

Building on the strong delivery networks already in place on Prince Edward Island, these investments will ensure quick access to training for the people of Prince Edward Island, particularly workers and employers in sectors hard hit by COVID-19.

The Workforce Integration Fund is one of the targeted measures implemented by the Government of Prince Edward Island as a result of these investments. To date, 14 innovative projects from organizations have been approved to help Islanders gain skills and knowledge so they can find long-term jobs, advance their careers and access entrepreneurship opportunities.

In the 2020 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada committed to making the largest training investment in Canadian history and announced that it will launch a campaign to create over one million jobs, restoring employment to pre-pandemic levels. This will be done by using a range of tools, including immediate training to quickly equip workers. As a first step, this one-time investment through the WDAs will help contribute to this goal and create a stronger workforce.

To further support recovery efforts, the Government of Canada is also ensuring that Canadian workers can get the support they need under the LMDAs and the WDAs with provinces and territories by broadening the scope of eligible costs to include things such as the costs related to online training, accommodating new physical distancing requirements and providing mental health supports.

As we work toward our economic recovery from the pandemic, the Government of Canada will continue to support the people of Prince Edward Island and help them grow their potential. By working together with the Government of Prince Edward Island, we can build a stronger workforce and position the country for an economic recovery that leaves no Canadian behind.