Eel Ground, New Brunswick, December 9, 2011—Aboriginal people in New Brunswick will get the training and skills development they need to find and keep good jobs through support from the Government of Canada.
Tilly O’Neill Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced that the North Shore Micmac District Council Inc. will receive $2,723,229 from the Government of Canada through the Skills and Partnership Fund.
“Our government’s top priority is jobs and the economy. In a constantly evolving labour market, it’s important that Canadians get the skills and training they need to succeed,” said Ms. O’Neill Gordon. “This is why we work with partners, such as the North Shore Micmac District Council Inc., to ensure that Aboriginal people are able to take full advantage of economic opportunities.”
"We are pleased to partner with HRSDC to deliver these innovative and crucial training initiatives supporting both the fishery and trades,” said Jim Ward, Executive Assistant of the North Shore Micmac District Council Inc. “These projects will go a long way to assist our First Nations communities to continue enhancing the skills and opportunities of their population. The commercial fishery and enhanced trades training supports stronger and more productive First Nations communities."
North Shore Micmac District Council Inc.’s Aboriginal Fisheries Essential Skills Development Project will train at least 90 Aboriginal people living on First Nations reserves. This includes developing the essential skills required to successfully participate in the commercial fisheries of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, as well as helping them get certification in the basic operation of a small vessel fisheries business.
The Trades Orientation Training and Skill Development for Multi-Barrier Aboriginal Clients Project will assist 28 Aboriginal individuals by providing training opportunities and work experience in a variety of skilled-trade areas including: electrical, plumbing, carpentry, interior finish and welding/sheet metal. This project will also help participants get the necessary skills to adapt to the changing labour market environment as well as secure long-term jobs.
The Skills and Partnership Fund is part of the Government’s approach to help First Nations, Métis and Inuit get training and work experience to secure sustainable, meaningful employment. It is intended to encourage innovation in Aboriginal training-to-employment products and service delivery.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request.
For further information (media only):
Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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Launched in July 2010, the Skills and Partnership Fund encourages Aboriginal organizations to create partnerships with government, business and community organizations that drive change, improve skills training and create opportunities for Aboriginal people.
The Government of Canada is investing $210 million over five years in this partnership-based, opportunity driven fund. The Fund supports projects that encourage innovation, test new approaches and address systemic gaps in the delivery of employment services for Aboriginal Canadians to ensure this growing population can fully share in economic opportunities. All Aboriginal organizations are eligible to apply for funding under the program.
The Skills and Partnership Fund builds on the success of earlier Aboriginal employment programs. It responds to the changing needs and priorities of the labour market while providing opportunities for Aboriginal people to fully participate in Canada’s economy.
The Government of Canada also supports the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy, which is an integrated approach to Aboriginal labour market programming that links training to labour market demand. The Strategy supports more than 80 Aboriginal organizations in the delivery of programs and services to increase Aboriginal participation in the Canadian labour market. It focuses on three strategic priorities: supporting skills development; fostering partnerships with the private sector and the provinces and territories; and accountability and results. The program was launched in April 2010 with funding of $1.6 billion over five years.
