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May 20, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA, ONTARIO - The Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced Government of Canada funding of $999,916 for the Infrastructure project by the Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada (Petroleum Council). This project is funded under the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program.
"The petroleum industry plays an important role in Canada, both as a source of revenue and as a major employer," said Minister Volpe. "This new funding will certainly enhance the competitiveness of this sector by helping it to develop the right infrastructure to ensure that there is a sufficient number of qualified workers for this industry."
This funding will provide the sector council with stable operating funds allowing it to focus on responding to skills needs, representing the collective interest of industry partners, developing linkages with the educational system, and being results-based.
"This funding by the Government of Canada will enable the Council to support the petroleum industry in addressing the key human resources issues that were identified in the recently released study A Decade Ahead," said Cheryl Knight, Executive Director and CEO of the Petroleum Council.
The Petroleum Council is a sector council supported by 11 oil and gas organizations (national and regional), including one union. It represents the key sectors of the upstream petroleum industry in Canada: exploration, development, production, service industries, pipeline transmission, gas processing, and the upgrading of heavy oil and bitumen.
The mandate of the Petroleum Council is to support the upstream petroleum industry in its need to ensure the availability of skilled human resources to meet present and future competency requirements. The Council addresses human resources issues such as current and potential shortages of workers, the inclusion of Aboriginal peoples and non-traditional participants, and ongoing needs for skills enhancement.
Sector councils bring together business, labour and educational stakeholders in key industries to identify and address common human resources and skills issues, and to find solutions that benefit the particular sector. They are instrumental in making sure that workers already employed and those seeking employment are well prepared for the challenges of the rapidly evolving labour market. There are currently 29 national sector councils covering approximately 40 percent of Canada's labour market.
Today's announcement follows the Prime Minister's commitment to develop a Workplace Skills Strategy (WSS), as outlined in his reply to the 2004 Speech from the Throne. The WSS will recognize that the workplace is an important venue where both employers and workers face the challenges of skills and labour shortages associated with the rapid technological and demographic changes that are transforming the Canadian economy. This strategy will build upon current government programs and activities, including the Sector Council Program.
The Government of Canada has pledged to work with the provinces, sector councils, labour organizations and learning institutions to create the skills and learning architecture that Canada needs to promote and support workplace learning.
Funding for this project was provided for in the March 2004 federal Budget.
This project complies with all departmental administrative rules governing grants and contributions, and provisions of the Financial Administration Act, and is subject to review to ensure compliance with the objectives of the program.
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For more information:
Stephanie Lewis
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
(819) 994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
(819) 994-5559
