About HRSDC | Our Offices | Programs & Services | A-Z Index May 15, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 05-36 MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC-The Honourable Eleni Bakopanos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Social Development with special emphasis on Social Economy, and Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic, on behalf of the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced that the Government of Canada will be providing more than $3 million for three projects aimed at improving the country's economic growth and competitiveness in the apparel sector. "Canada's future competitiveness depends on productive, high-performance workplaces, supported by a highly skilled work force" said Ms. Bakopanos. "The apparel sector is an important sector of our economy, and these projects will help to ensure that we have the skilled work force to remain competitive." The Apparel Human Resources Council (AHRC) will receive this funding through the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program. The projects will help to support the promotion of skills development within the apparel sector. The Apparel Human Resources Council works to ensure that the Canadian apparel industry attracts and retains a new generation of skilled workers, and helps to increase the skill level of its existing work force to support the industry. "This funding will help us to build on our success with and promote new careers in the apparel industry. The funding will contribute to the sector's ability to equip its work force with the skills necessary to adjust to changing global market and ensure that the Canadian apparel industry remains competitive," said Sam Gilmore, Vice President of Operations for West Coast Apparel Inc., and Co-chair of the Apparel Human Resources Council. Today's announcement is linked to Canada's Workplace Skills Strategy, aimed at helping Canadians to become the best trained, most highly skilled workers in the world, as well as ensuring that employers' needs are met. 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, provinces and territories, sector councils and workers to ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to develop their skills so that they can obtain meaningful and productive jobs. Sector councils successfully meet emerging skills requirements, addressing skills and labour shortages, and building essential skills in the workplace, as a foundation for continuous learning. They are organizations that 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 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 30 sector councils representing traditional industries such as mining and textiles and emerging industries such as biotechnology and environment. The current sector council network covers approximately 47 percent of the labour market. The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening and expanding the network of sector councils so that more Canadian workers benefit from them. Funding for these projects was provided for in the 2005 federal Budget. These projects have been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's administration of its grant and contribution programs, and are subject to review under the Financial Administration Act. Description of Project Funding 1. Career Awareness - Phase II This project will promote careers in the apparel industry to individuals between 21 and 30 years of age through developing a career awareness Web site and a communications and marketing strategy. $401,877 2. Infrastructure This project 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 links with the educational system, and being results-based. . $1,350,408 3. Management Competencies Development Program Through this project, the AHRC will develop management training programs for the apparel industry that will help to equip the apparel work force with the skills needed to adjust to trade liberalization and to ensure that the industry remains competitive. $1,651,900 Total $3,404,185 - 30 - For more information, see the attached backgrounders. For further information (media only): Michael O'Shaughnessy Director of Communications Office of Minister Lucienne Robillard (819) 994-2482 Media Relations Office Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (819) 994-5559
