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November 22, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
05-79
OTTAWA, 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 $977,000 through the Sector Council Program to the Textiles Human Resources Council to support the development of a skilled workforce in the textile industry.
"Canada's future competitiveness depends on productive workplaces, supported by a highly skilled workforce," said Minister Stronach. "Today's investment will help ensure that we have the skilled workforce to remain competitive in the face of changing demographics at home and growing international competition. We are pleased to support skills and workforce development in the textile sector, which is such an important part of our economy."
The Textiles Human Resources Council will use the funding for two projects supporting the recruitment and transition of skilled workers into the textile sector, facilitating worker mobility, and supporting skills training within the industry. The Council's aim is to develop innovative skill solutions that respond to established and emerging human resources needs, foster a continuous learning environment, and enhance the industry's image.
"The Canadian textile industry and its unions are working together to respond to the challenges faced by today's textile sector and its employees," said Pierre Jean Olivier, Textiles Human Resources Council union co-chair and National Representative of United Food and Commercial Workers Canada. "We recognize the critical role of worker skills in the competition equation, and are developing programs and services to meet the needs of all employees."
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. These organizations 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 31 sector councils representing traditional industries (such as mining and textiles) and emerging industries (such as biotechnology and the environment). The sector council network now covers approximately 48 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 this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal Budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
The 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.
For details, see the attached backgrounder.
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For more information (media only):
Normand Bergeron
Special Advisor, Communications
Office of Minister Belinda Stronach
(819) 994-2482
BACKGROUNDER
Sector Council
Description of Project
Funding
Textiles Human Resources Council
Textile Opportunities Program
This project will recruit and place 72 qualified candidates and provide them with career information and support; offer wage subsidies to qualified textile sector employers; and help textile employers across Canada meet their human resources recruitment goals, and give them information about essential and advanced employability skills training for interns.
$831,235
Skills Transition Program
Through this project, the Council will facilitate worker mobility and the transition of skilled workers in the textile sector by developing and implementing a unique sector-wide Skills Transition Portal on the Council Web site.
$146,520
Total Projects
$977,755
