About HRSDC | Our Offices | Programs & Services | A-Z Index March 29, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 05-20 VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - In a ceremony held today at the Chief Dan George Centre, the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of State (Human Resources Development), took part in the official launch of the VanAsep Training Society project along with event hosts Leonard George, President of the First Nations Employment Society, and Mr. Manley McLachlan, President and Chief Executive Officer for the British Columbia Construction Association. "This project is a great example of how industry can meet its skill shortages by tapping into the potential and talent of B.C.'s Aboriginal work force. It's a winning situation and a point of pride for all of us on our way to hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said Minister Bradshaw in declaring the project officially under way. The VanAsep Training Society project links major employers and major projects to a source of labour supply, including opportunities related to the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre project, the Vancouver Port Expansion project and the Sea to Sky Highway project. The project will enable training for at least 600 Aboriginal individuals, and guarantee a minimum of 200 apprenticeships, with an overall expectation of 300 Aboriginal people employed in long-term sustainable careers in the construction industry. As part of this project, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) will be working with a 12-member partnership consortium. Partners include the Tsawwassen First Nation, the First Nations Employment Society, the Squamish Nation, Lil'wat Nation, the Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society, the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia, the BC Construction Association, the Vancouver Regional Construction Association, PCL Construction Ltd., the B.C. Road Builders Association, Peter Kiewit Sons Construction and Houle Electric Contractors. The total budget for this initiative is estimated at $21.6 million, of which $7.8 million will be available from HRSDC over the next three years through a contribution agreement. Industry partners are contributing $10 million, and $3.8 million will come from Aboriginal communities. ASEP, along with the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy (AHRDS), are the two Government of Canada Aboriginal labour market programs administered by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. ASEP is designed to respond to employer demands for skilled workers. It complements the AHRDS with Agreement Holders under the Strategy, often part of an ASEP project partnership arrangement. This initiative 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. For more information, see the attached backgrounder. - 30 - For more information: Yannick Leclair Special Assistant Office of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw (819) 953-8385 Media Relations Office Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (819) 994-5559 BACKGROUNDER VANASEP TRAINING SOCIETY PROJECT UNDER THE ABORIGINAL SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program is a five-year initiative launched in late 2003 with total funding of $85 million. Its overall objective is to create sustainable employment for Aboriginal people in major economic initiatives across Canada through collaborative partnerships, leading to lasting benefits for Aboriginal communities, families and individuals. ASEP funding proposals are submitted by partnership consortia, which include parties from the private sector, Aboriginal groups, and the province or territory where the large economic or resource-based project is located. Other key partners may include learning institutions, sector councils, labour, and other Government of Canada departments or agencies. Each partnership consortium must set out a comprehensive training-to-employment plan for Aboriginal people that link skills development to specific job opportunities. A significant amount of funding for a project is expected from the partnership; the Government of Canada's normal contribution to a proposal will not exceed 75 percent. The private sector must also demonstrate, at minimum, 50 long-term sustainable jobs for Aboriginal people once Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has completed its funding. ASEP is administered nationally by HRSDC in conjunction with regional offices. It also complements the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy (AHRDS), a five-year initiative that began in 1999 and renewed until 2009. ASEP also complements the Northern Strategy, announced by the Prime Minister in December 2004, by providing training and human resource development that is responsive to the needs of community and regional labour market conditions and economies. The VanAsep Training Society project is one of six ASEP projects now under way across the country. Funding approval of up to $7.8 million under ASEP was announced in Vancouver, B.C. on January 17, 2005 by the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), on behalf of the Honourable Joe Volpe, former Minister of HRSDC. VANASEP TRAINING SOCIETY PROJECT Recent labour market analysis suggests that the construction sector is growing rapidly with over $10 billion in opportunities in the Richmond to Whistler corridor. This will create over 75,000 jobs with industry demand to peak in 2006. The potential impact on the Aboriginal community is significant with the potential for sustainable employment beyond 2010. Partnership agreements are in place at many levels including a unique partnership between three Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement (AHRDA) holders to work collectively in the urban area. This project is also supported by major construction industry associations. It's all about Partnership The VanASEP consortium will be linking major employers and major projects to a source of labour supply, focussing primarily, but not exclusively, on opportunities relating to the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre project, the Vancouver Port Expansion project and the Sea to Sky Highway project. The partnership consortium includes: Aboriginal Partners: Tsawwassen First Nation Squamish Nation Lil'wat Nation First Nations Employment Society Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS) Métis Provincial Council of BC Industry: BC Construction Association Vancouver Regional Construction Association PCL Construction Ltd. The BC Road Builders Association Peter Kiewit Sons Construction Houle Electric Contractors Government: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (ex-officio) Working with the BC Construction Association and industry partners, the objective is to train 600 Aboriginal individuals and to employ a minimum of 300 Aboriginal people in long-term sustainable construction careers. A special part of the project is now under way with the Aboriginal Careers in Trades project supported by three of the AHRDA holders. FUNDING The total estimated budget for the VanAsep Training Society project is $21.6 million, of which: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada $7.8 million Industry $10 million Aboriginal Communities $3.8 million Province of British Columbia $60,000 The Government of Canada marks project start up of the Vancouver Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership project. . (Left to Right): Manley McLachlan, President of the British Columbia Construction Association; Minister of State Claudette Bradshaw; Leonard George, President of the First Nations Employment Society; Ruth Dick, President of the Spo7ez Cultural Society; and Robert Lashin, President of the B.C. Construction Association. - 30 -
