No. H123/05
For release May 31, 2005
TRANSPORTATION SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT FUNDING ANNOUNCED
OTTAWA — Two projects for transportation-related skills development and capacity were announced today by Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre. The projects will receive $150,000 to promote transportation careers among youth.
The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation will receive $100,000 and the Western Transportation Advisory Council
(WESTAC) will receive $50,000.
"World class, sustainable transportation systems, such as Canada’s, require the vision and energy of an innovative sector, driven by a highly skilled workforce," said Minister Lapierre. "This funding demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to promoting transportation careers to potential workforce entrants."
The Transportation Skills Development funding was initiated to respond to several employment issues facing the transportation industry. At the same time as demand for transportation services is increasing, the workforce is aging, the number of new entrants into the transportation field is decreasing and there are shortages of skilled workers in certain areas.
This funding will be distributed to projects that:
increase the visibility, understanding and attractiveness of transportation careers to young people entering the labour market; and
increase awareness and understanding of transportation and transportation-related careers among youth, parents, and teachers.
These projects also meet the objectives of the Government of Canada’s Innovation Strategy for skills development that will help build a first-class workforce. One of these is promoting labour force participation to Aboriginal youth, a group which often encounters employment barriers. The strategy also encourages the development of new work force entrants with well-honed skills in specific transportation-related trades. The second project encourages students to consider careers in transportation through a youth-oriented Careers in Transportation website.
"We are very pleased to partner with Transport Canada in developing and delivering
Transportation in the Classroom, one of our career-oriented programs that enables First Nations, Inuit, and Metis youth to realize their potential," said Roberta Jamieson, chief executive officer of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.
"The career opportunities for young people are huge, in road, rail, air and marine, and across all skill levels," said Ruth Sol, WESTAC president.
Funding of these projects will allow stakeholders to help attract the best and the brightest Canadians to pursue careers in this field," said Minister Lapierre.
For more information on the Government of Canada’s Innovation Strategy, visit
www.innovation.gc.ca.
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Contacts:
Irène Marcheterre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Robin Browne
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca.
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