GOOSE BAY, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, March 8, 2010—The hydroelectric construction industry in Newfoundland and Labrador will get a boost in skilled labour as a result of a training and skills development project. The Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership project is based on an agreement between the Government of Canada, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the private sector and Aboriginal organizations.
Senator Ethel Cochrane today announced that the Government of Canada is contributing close to $15 million towards this project. The balance of the funding, which is more than $30 million, is coming from the project partners.
Through this project, participants will receive the skills training they need to take part in the construction of a hydroelectric facility. Once the construction project is finished, the participants will be able to use their transferable skills to obtain long-term employment.
“Canada’s Economic Action Plan is investing in skills development so Canadians can participate and succeed in the job market,” said Senator Cochrane. “Through the Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership project, our government is working with industry and Aboriginal organizations to help Canadians succeed in the hydroelectric construction industry and attain new employment opportunities. This is part of our overall strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world.”
The Government of Canada’s contribution for this training and skills development project is delivered through the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program.
The ASEP program promotes partnerships between the Government of Canada, other levels of government, local organizations and employers. It provides on-the-job training that leads to long-term jobs in high demand professions such as mining, hydro development, fisheries, tourism, construction and infrastructure.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan provided an additional $100 million in funding to ASEP to create more and better opportunities for Canada’s Aboriginal people. One of these investments is the Bridges and Foundations Career Development project, which supports economic opportunities in the Saskatoon area’s residential construction industry. Up to 600 Aboriginal people in the region will receive training, and it is expected that at least 400 of the participants will secure long-term jobs.
Mr. Dylan Ratt, a past participant, explained that the project opened new doors for him and provided an opportunity to find employment. “This has been a stepping stone and made a huge difference for myself and my family,” said Mr. Ratt, who is now an exterior finisher with a local construction company.
More information about Canada’s Economic Action Plan can be found at www.actionplan.gc.ca
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This news release is available online at www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Program
The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program is a nationally managed, opportunity-driven, project-based initiative that promotes increased participation of Aboriginal people in major economic developments through formalized partnerships between Aboriginal organizations and the private sector. The provinces and territories also contribute to the projects, and all partners must contribute at least 50 percent of the total cost of the project. The ASEP program supports multi-year training-to-employment strategies leading to long-term skilled jobs for Aboriginal people in existing and emerging industries.
ASEP was initially launched in 2003 as an $85-million, five-year program supporting nine projects that resulted in over 6,000 Aboriginal people receiving training, with more than 3,000 of them finding long-term sustainable jobs. In 2007, the ASEP program was extended to 2012, with an additional $105 million supporting 16 more projects. Canada’s Economic Action Plan is investing to help Aboriginal people participate in the workforce and make the most of employment opportunities.
Project Description
The Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership project will run for 30 months and will offer on-the-job training and apprenticeships to Aboriginal people, creating lasting benefits for the participants, their families and the 19 Aboriginal communities across Labrador.
Project Sponsors
