MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, JUNE 28, 2010—Canadian manufacturing workers and businesses will benefit from a Government of Canada investment in a literacy and essential skills development project. The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Labour, together with Mr. Bob Dechert, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Mississauga–Erindale, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
“Our government believes that working with partners to improve literacy and essential skills is a great way to help Canadians build better futures,” said Minister Raitt. “By identifying best practices and creating tools to help businesses incorporate these critical skills in their training programs, this project will ultimately help workers get the skills upgrading they need to stay safe and productive on the job.”
“Helping workers upgrade their skills is a good investment for employers,” insisted Mr. Dechert. “I’m proud that businesses right here in Mississauga recognize this fact and are helping to lead the way for employers across the country.”
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) will receive over $4 million for its project entitled Leveraging and Embedding Literacy and Essential Skills in Health and Safety Opportunities, through the National Essential Skills Workplace Service – Employment Insurance Part II program.
Through this project, CME will conduct research and develop a business case to demonstrate the benefits of embedding literacy and essential skills into health and safety training programs, which will encourage innovation, productivity and safety in the workplace.
“CME is pleased to partner with the federal government to achieve results and leverage the opportunities between two of our priority issues: literacy and essential skills, and health and safety,” said Mr. Ian Howcroft, Vice President, Ontario Division, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters. “Success in these areas will help companies improve productivity, health and safety performance and create a better working environment.”
Improving adult Canadians’ literacy and essential skills is a key part of the Government’s commitment to creating the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
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
About the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills
The Government of Canada created the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills as a centre of expertise to help increase the literacy and essential skills of adult Canadians.
While Canada currently faces economic uncertainty, skills shortages remain a significant challenge. With a budget of over $38 million in 2010–2011, the Government of Canada, through the Office, is investing to ensure that Canadians have the literacy and essential skills they need to participate fully in the labour market and in their communities.
In addition to providing funding and conducting research, the Government of Canada’s Office of Literacy and Essential Skills works with partners in federal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as non-profit organizations across Canada, to help employers, practitioners and trainers incorporate literacy and essential skills into their training programs.
About the organization
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is the country’s largest industry and trade association, representing businesses in all sectors of Canada’s manufacturing and exporting community. While CME’s membership includes Canada’s largest businesses, more than 85 percent are small and mid-sized enterprises.
CME works with many partners in the education, manufacturing, health and safety, labour, and literacy sectors to develop and build upon adult learning programs. CME is working with its partners to conduct research, develop tools, and create a business case linking literacy and essential skills to workplace health and safety. Once complete, the research findings and business case will be shared at a national summit and through regional working groups.
