Winnipeg, Manitoba, April 27, 2012—The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport) and Member of Parliament for Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, today announced a Government of Canada investment that will enable over 270 Aboriginal people in remote northern communities to develop skills that will help them find and keep good jobs. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
“Our government’s top priority is job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity. And investing in training and skills development is one the best ways we can achieve that priority,” said Minister Fletcher. “This is why we work with organizations like Arctic Co-operatives Limited, to ensure Aboriginal people are able to take full advantage of economic opportunities.”
Through the Government of Canada’s Skills and Partnership Fund, Arctic Co‑operatives Limited is receiving close to $3.7 million for its Strategy for Training Arctic Technicians project.
Through the project, Arctic Co-operatives Limited will address a gap in technical training in remote arctic locations. Training in a variety of technical trades, including electricity, plumbing, cooking and construction, will now be available in these locations through a partnership with training providers in Manitoba.
“This partnership with the Government of Canada demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Co-op system to the training and development of Co-op employees and Co-op leaders across theArctic,” said Andy Morrison, CEO, Arctic Co-operatives Limited. “This new training program will result in important benefits to the communities served by the locally owned Co-ops in the north, including improved services, empowered employees and strengthened leadership.”
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.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request.
For further information (media only):
Marian Ngo
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 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.
