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September 21, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
05-59
NORTH BAY, ONTARIO-Belinda Stronach, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister responsible for Democratic Renewal, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide over $3.7 million, through the Sector Council Program, to promote a skilled work force in the wood manufacturing, mining, seafood and environment sectors.
Minister Stronach made the announcement while visiting Canadore College in North Bay.
"Our natural resources have long been the backbone of our economy and it is absolutely vital we remain globally competitive in these sectors," said Minister Stronach. "To maintain our competitiveness, we must ensure we have productive, high performance workplaces, supported by a highly skilled work force. These projects will help us meet this goal."
"This new funding will not only address these skill shortage issues, but also ensure that the Canadian labour force attracts and retains a new generation of skilled workers, "said Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming. "This funding will also ensure that this work force has the skills and knowledge required to meet the demands of doing business in the 21st century."
The Government of Canada's Sector Council Program will be supporting projects by the Wood Manufacturing Council (WMC), the Mining Industry Training and Adjustment Council (MITAC), the National Seafood Sector Council (NSSC) and the Environmental Careers Organization of Canada (ECO Canada).
"With this funding, MITAC will work to raise the profile of the Canadian minerals and metals sector and to make Canadians aware of the multitude of career opportunities within our vibrant industry," said Paul Hébert, Executive Director of MITAC. "On behalf of MITAC and all our partners, I gratefully acknowledge the Government of Canada's contribution in supporting our human resources recruitment, retention and development initiatives."
"There are interesting and challenging careers available in the advanced wood processing sector, and this project will greatly assist our efforts to make Canadians aware of the existence of, and the skills needed to take advantage of, these opportunities. The Wood Manufacturing Council very much appreciates the Government of Canadas financial support of our Careers In Wood Promotions Program," said Richard Lipman, President of WMC.
"With this support, NSSC will continue to provide the labour force with the support to acquire the skills needed to compete in today's worldwide market, thereby positively affecting competitiveness," said Johanna Oehling, Executive Director of NSSC. "On behalf of NSSC, I appreciate the Government of Canada's continued investment in its number one asset-people."
"On behalf of ECO Canada, I appreciate the Government of Canada's investment in strengthening Canadian environmental expertise in the environment sector," said Grant Trump, President of ECO Canada. "Environmental stakeholders have clearly articulated to ECO Canada that the profession could more effectively support the conservation, protection and sustainability of the Canadian environment with a deeper understanding of current and anticipated skill requirements and supply demands. Documenting the business of the environment will assist all stakeholder groups."
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 businesses, 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 by 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 the 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 their compliance with the Department's administration of its grant and contribution programs, and they are subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.
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For further information (media only):
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
(819) 994-5559
BACKGROUNDER
The Government of Canada will provide over $3.7 million to promote a skilled work force in the natural resources and environment sectors.
Sector Council
Project Description
Total
Mining Industry Training and Adjustment Council (MITAC)
Career Information Products, Phase 1-This project aims to make the mining industry more attractive to youth by developing a strategy for career information products and producing career awareness products for high school students, youth and career changers. It also aims to encourage these individuals to consider careers in underground mining, surface mining and mill operation, to address the work force recruitment challenges the mining industry faces.
$247,293
Wood Manufacturing Council (WMC)
Career Focus for the Advanced Wood Processing Sector-Through this project, Canadian youths will have the opportunity to gain job experience in the advanced wood processing sector.
$402,905
Wood Manufacturing Council (WMC)
Careers in Wood, Promotions Program, Phase II-Through this project, WMC will produce a career information product strategy, a marketing and communications plan, and a Web site. It will also prepare industry and occupational profiles, career roadmaps and educational profiles to inform youth of educational requirements and career opportunities in the advanced wood manufacturing sector.
$426,298
Wood Manufacturing Council (WMC)
High School Sub-Sector Specialties in Wood Manufacturing-Through this project, WMC will develop a new high school curriculum that aims to improve the skills of entry-level workers in the advanced wood products processing sector.
$710,632
National Seafood Sector Council (NSSC)
Workplace Skills, Tools and Information- NSSC will hold a conference to increase the national visibility and connectedness of the sector by bringing together small, medium-sized and large businesses. The conference will further promote the training culture and expand NSSC's presence nationally. Presentations and discussions will help to identify common skills and labour market issues, and to develop a growth strategy for NSSC and the broader food processing industry.
$189,500
National Seafood Sector Council (NSSC)
Outreach and Communication-This project will help NSSC develop a learning culture by promoting the use of its labour market information and human resources development products in the seafood and food processing industry.
$533,052;
National Seafood Sector Council (NSSC)
Sectoral Youth Career Focus Program-This project will help NSSC address skills shortages by introducing highly skilled new entrants to the seafood and food processing labour force.
$470,000
Environmental Careers Organization of Canada (ECO Canada)
HR Conference-This project involves planning, communicating, conducting and evaluating a conference dealing with human resources issues in the environment sector.
$189,156
Environmental Careers Organization of Canada (ECO Canada)
LMI Scenarios-This project will provide a better picture of the current and future supply of and demand for environmental practitioners by looking at work force supply and by undertaking an in-depth analysis of unmet demands. The initiative will also map environmental occupations to the National Occupational Classification system.
$578,469
Total:
$3,747,305
