WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, AUGUST 16, 2010—On behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, today announced that the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD) is receiving more than $23.7 million under the federal government’s new Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy.
“Our government is making significant investments in training to help stimulate the economy and help people become self-reliant,” said Minister Toews. “With our support, the Centre will provide Aboriginal people in Winnipeg with the knowledge and skills they need for the jobs of the future.”
“CAHRD has been successfully delivering labour market programs to Aboriginal people for over 35 years,” said Mr. Bill Shead, Vice-Chair, Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development. “We are very pleased to have the continued confidence of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada to continue to assist Aboriginal job seekers in Winnipeg.”
The project will address skills shortages in six areas of the economy that are stable or are expected to grow. These industries include transportation, manufacturing, biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare and law enforcement.
CAHRD will provide a variety of employment, education and training services to help adult and youth participants increase their current and future employability. As a result of this project, 4,750 Aboriginal people are expected to find full-time jobs or return to school.
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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
The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy
The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) is the partnership- and results-based successor strategy to the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy. It is an integrated approach to Aboriginal labour market programming that will link training to labour market demand and ensure that the growing Aboriginal population is able to fully participate in economic opportunities. Through ASETS, the Government of Canada will be providing Aboriginal Agreement Holders with $1.6 billion over five years.
ASETS was implemented in 2010 and focuses on three strategic priorities: supporting skills development; fostering partnerships with the private sector and the provinces and territories; and putting emphasis on accountability and results. The Government of Canada is working with partners across the country to facilitate the transition and plan for the next five years.
The Skills and Partnership Fund
The Skills and Partnership Fund will be available to all Aboriginal organizations, including those who are not current Aboriginal Agreement Holders. It will create innovative partnership-based projects that increase Aboriginal participation in labour market activities. The projects supported by the Fund will focus on new and emerging opportunities that are flexible and responsive to workforce demands.
