About HRSDC | Our Offices | Programs & Services | A-Z Index November 1, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OTTAWA, ONTARIO — The Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources (NRCan), on behalf of the Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development (HRSDC), announced yesterday Government of Canada funding of over $4 million under the Sector Council Program for nine projects related to natural resources. The sector councils receiving funding include those representing the petroleum, wood manufacturing, mining, and environment industries. “If we want to ensure that Canada 's natural resources sectors remain globally competitive and continue to be a major driver of the economy, we must build on our strengths and advantages,” said Minister Efford. “This announcement is very much in line with the Government of Canada's commitment to fostering a strong economy and supporting knowledge, innovation and technology. It will ensure that Canadians can take advantage of high-tech, high-paying careers in resource industries, now and in the future.” Minister Efford made the announcement last night at the Natural Resources Skills Symposium being held in Calgary from October 31 to November 2. The event, which is being co-hosted by HRSDC and NRCan, aims to address some of the major human resources challenges facing the natural resources sectors, such as recruitment, retention and continuous learning. “The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that Canadians are equipped with the tools they need to meet the challenges of today's labour market,” said Minister Volpe. “The natural resources industry is facing pressure from looming skills shortages. Skills training and upgrading are vital to the continued success of our natural resources sectors, and these new projects will help to achieve that.” The natural resources sectors and allied industries are a cornerstone of the Canadian economy. They generate 13 percent of Canada 's gross domestic product and employ close to one million Canadians across the country—particularly in rural, remote and Northern communities. Today's announcement is linked to Canada 's Workplace Skills Strategy aimed at helping Canadians to acquire the skills needed to obtain meaningful and productive jobs. The Government of Canada recognizes that Canada 's future competitiveness depends on a highly skilled work force and on high-performance workplaces that focus on skills development. It will work with business, unions, other levels of government, sector councils and workers to ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to develop their skills and succeed. Funding for these projects was provided for in the 2004 federal Budget. They have been reviewed to ensure compliance with HRSDC's administration of its grant and contribution programs, and are subject to review under the Financial Administration Act . For more information about the projects, see the attached backgrounder. - 30 - For more information: Stephen Heckbert Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development (819) 994-2482 Tom Ormsby Director of Communications Office of the Minister Natural Resources Canada (613) 996-2007 Ghyslain Charron Media Relations Natural Resources Canada (613) 992-4447 Media Relations Office Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (819) 994-5559 BACKGROUNDER Sector Council Program Projects Funding for these projects was provided for in the March 2004 federal Budget and comes from the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program. Sector councils are pan-Canadian organizations that bring together representatives from business, labour, education, other professional groups and government to identify and understand industry-wide problems and to implement long-term human resources planning and skills development strategies for their sector. There are currently 2 9 national sector councils covering approximately 40 percent of Canada 's labour market. Projects being announced today include: Organization Project Description Funding 1.Mining Industry Training and Adjustment Council Canada Sector Study The sector study will provide a comprehensive diagnosis of the short- and long-term human resource issues and challenges facing the mining industry. The study will also serve to develop a human resource strategy for the mining industry. $857,763 2. Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada Defining Job Requirements in Entry–Level Positions This project will research and produce documentation on job families and occupations in Canada 's upstream petroleum industry, and identify key priorities for future job profile development. $365,000 3. Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada Petroleum Council: Aligning Training Institutions' Programming with Industry Needs. This project will develop a national engagement strategy to more closely align Canada 's post-secondary learning system with the training needs of the upstream petroleum sector. $196,650 4. Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada Administer the Petroleum Competency Program This project will establish and administer the operations, procedures and processes of the Petroleum Competency Program (PCP) as documented in the PCP Standards Management Plan. $199,231 5. Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada Petroleum Council Outreach Strategy This project will document existing upstream industry activities directed at the traditional and non-traditional work force, and identify the communications mechanisms and/or tools about careers with the traditional and non-traditional work force. $233,769 6. Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada Enhancing Attraction for Hard-to-Recruit Locations This project will develop a model to help assess attraction and retention challenges in hard-to-recruit locations. It will also identify best practices, existing tools, and resources to help the Canadian upstream petroleum industry to attract, retain and develop a local work force to meet the demands for skilled labour. $173,513 7. The Canadian Council for Human Resources in the Environment Industry (CCHREI) Inclusionary Model for Water and Wastewater Operators This project will define competency levels required by water and wastewater facility personnel using the National Occupational Standards for Water and Wastewater Operators. The project will also introduce these competency levels and the National Occupational Standards to regulatory bodies in all Canadian provinces and territories and to the Association of Boards of Certification. $425,278 8. The Canadian Council for Human Resources in the Environment Industry (CCHREI) Marketing and Communications Project This project will undertake specific marketing and communications activities to increase the use of CCHREI products and services among environmental stakeholders (employers, educators and students). $1,385,296 9. Wood Manufacturing Council National Human Resources Sector Study for the Advance Wood Processing Sector The sector study will provide a comprehensive diagnosis of the short- and long-term human resources issues and challenges facing the advanced wood products processing sector, and serve to develop a human resources strategy for the sector. $466,664 TOTAL FOR NINE PROJECTS $4,303,164
