FORT ST. JOHN, BRITISH COLUMBIA, May 21, 2008-The Honourable Jay Hill, Secretary of State and Chief Government Whip, and Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced funding for an Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) project. The funding is expected to provide Aboriginal participants with the skills development, support and training that they need to strengthen links to employment opportunities.
Speaking at the North East Native Advancing Society's (NENAS) office in Fort St. John, Mr. Hill announced that the Government of Canada will contribute over $2.3 million to the North East Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (NEASEP) project managed by NENAS.
"The Government of Canada is committed to creating the best educated, most skilled and most flexible work force in the world," said Mr. Hill. "This project will offer Aboriginal people the skills they need to find and keep good quality jobs, help local employers facing labour shortages, and strengthen the local economy."
This project will provide employment for at least 80 Aboriginal people. Through academic training and skills development courses, participants will be able to match their skills, abilities and interests with a wide variety of training and employment options. This will result in higher job satisfaction, increased employment and retention rates, and additional economic development incentives that will benefit both employers and Aboriginal communities.
"The oil and gas industry offers many economic opportunities to the Aboriginal peoples of northeast British Columbia who can benefit from a targeted program such as NEASEP," said Ms. Audrey Sam, NENAS Executive Director. "We are excited about what the future has to offer our people and the opportunity to partner with companies that are committed to supporting the human resource development of the Aboriginal peoples of northeast B.C."
In addition, NENAS will be partnering with industry leaders such as Dunne-za Ventures LP, and EnCana Corporation to help deliver the project.
"Being First Nations owned and a fully integrated service provider, Dunne-za Ventures LP requires a steady stream of skilled personnel," said Mr. William Nurnberger, President of Dunne-za Ventures LP. "This project will allow us to train and employ additional Aboriginal people, help meet our labour needs and ensure the continued advancement of our company, our community, and Canada."
"EnCana is pleased to work with NENAS in helping deliver programs offered under the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership," said Mike Forgo, VP, Business Services, EnCana Corporation. "This is a great fit with EnCana's ongoing support for education and training initiatives that help build capacity and sustainable economic opportunities for Aboriginal peoples."
The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership is a nationally managed program that provides Aboriginal people with the skills they need to participate in economic opportunities such as northern mining, oil and gas, and forestry projects across Canada. ASEP's overall objective is sustainable employment for Aboriginal people in major economic industries, leading to lasting benefits for Aboriginal communities, families and individuals.
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