TORONTO,Ontario, March 6, 2007-The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced almost $2.5 million in funding to improve recruitment and retention rates of staff in the mining industry.
"Canada's new government is proud to announce funding for this project, which will ensure that Canada remains a leader on the mining world stage," said Minister Solberg. "This important initiative will help meet current and future labour demands while maximizing the participation of underrepresented groups in the mining industry, such as Aboriginal people, women, new Canadians and older workers."
The project will improve industry retention rates through the transfer of knowledge from experienced workers to new entrants, and it will improve the industry's ability to attract, recruit and retain new workers. Support for this initiative is consistent with Canada's new government's proactive approach to the mining industry and follows Budget 2006 measures, which address mining sector priorities, as well as the Prime Minister's attendance at the opening of the Jericho diamond mine in Nunavut.
"There is a world of very rewarding career opportunities in the modern mining industry; this project will help inform Canadians of these opportunities and help industry find the right people with the right skills at the right time", said Mr. Paul Hébert, Executive Director of the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR).
Ms. Ingrid Hann, Vice President of Human Resources for De Beers Canada and MiHR Board Member, also applauds the funding announcement: "We are focusing on recruiting and retaining a broader spectrum of potential workers, including women, Aboriginal people and new Canadians. We've got up to 80,000 jobs to fill before the middle of the next decade-that's a big challenge, but it's also very good news for Canada and Canadians."
MiHR will receive funding for the project through Canada's new government's Sector Council Program. Sector councils meet emerging human resource requirements, address skills and labour shortages, and build essential skills in the workplace as a foundation for continuous learning. They bring together governments, business, labour and educational stakeholders in key sectors to share ideas, concerns, and perspectives about work force issues, such as training, recruitment, retention and the integration of foreign trained professionals.
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For more information (media only):
Lesley Harmer
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Monte Solberg
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
Laurie Chatigny
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Mining Industry Human Resources Council
613-371-1971
