Canadian Electricity Association (CEA)
Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) is pleased to see the federal government address the skilled labour shortage in Economic Action Plan 2013 … “CEA welcomes today’s announcement by the federal government to invest in skills training for Canadians across the country,” said Jim Burpee, President and CEO of the Canadian Electricity Association. “The training and development of Canada’s workforce is critical to the country’s competitiveness and economic growth potential, and we applaud the government for developing the Canada Job Grant, creating opportunities for apprentices, providing support to underrepresented groups and promoting education and careers in high demand fields to take action on this important challenge.” (March 21, 2013, Press Release)
Canada Manufacturers & Exporters (CME)
CME is very supportive of the government’s decision to include company-directed skills training as a major policy tool to address current and growing skills and labour shortages across Canada. In a recent survey, we found nearly 50 per cent of our member companies are experiencing labour shortages. Due to those shortages, one third of companies are facing output constraints with an equal number of companies reporting they will consider moving production outside of Canada in the next five years. Solving these labour challenges will require a focused effort to improve both the domestic and international supply and quality of the labour pool. That's why, over the past several weeks, our association has participated in consultations across the country on the creation of the proposed CJG. (June 2013 Newsletter, 20/20: The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters’ magazine)
The Canadian Welding Bureau
The Canadian Welding Bureau welcomes today’s federal budget news of the introduction of the Canada Jobs Grants program, and funding for equipment upgrades and continued infrastructure investment. The news further affirms that welding, and skilled trades, are critical to Canada’s ongoing growth … “The new Canada Job Grant announced in today’s budget demonstrates that skilled trades is a priority for the federal government,” said Dan Tadic, executive director of the Canadian Welding Association (CWA) … “It is no secret that there is and will continue to be shortage of qualified welders in Canada,” continues Tadic. “The move to create new opportunities for apprenticeships will help industry meet the needs of the new Building Canada Fund. This infusion of more infrastructure projects will demand a highly trained and skilled workforce to be successful. We are pleased to see that the Harper government is taking action to support skilled trades in Canada.” (March 21, 2013, Press Release)
CARP
Older workers can also benefit from the Canada Job Grant providing matching funds for needed training. Together with the job match programs under the Third Quarter initiative from the 2012 budget, older workers will have a better chance at getting and keeping needed jobs. (March 21, 2013, Press Release)
The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)
The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) welcomes the additional support for innovation and market development unveiled in today's budget and also applauds the government's focus on skills training. “This is a strategic future-oriented decision that demonstrates ongoing commitment to the transformation of the industry." … The Canada Job Grant proposal aimed at increasing the pool of skilled labour in Canada will also help the forest sector with another Vision2020 goal ― the desire to recruit an additional 60,000 people by 2020 including women, Aboriginals and new Canadians. "The forest products industry is on the move and needs to recruit tens of thousands of new workers to reach our potential in the 21st century and spur growth," says Lindsay. "We are pleased that the government is recognizing the growing competition for labour." (March 21, 2013, Press Release)
The National Association of Career Colleges (NACC)
The National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) applauds the federal government for the introduction of meaningful changes meant to better link employers to Canadians looking for work. “Thanks to the reforms proposed in this budget, including the new Canada Job Grant, an increased number of unemployed and underemployed Canadians will be able to obtain the training that they need to access jobs that are in demand now, and will be in the future,” said Serge Buy, NACC’s Chief Executive Officer … “The 2013 Budget introduced by this government will benefit Canadian job-seekers as well employers seeking qualified and skilled employees. We congratulate the Prime Minister and Ministers Flaherty and Finley for their support of effective training programs,” added Mr. Buy. (March 21, 2013, Press Release)
St. John’s Board of Trade
“The labour market challenges are the number one concern of our members. We were pleased with the announcement of the Canada Job Grant, and attempts to match jobs with people within Canada, especially with initiatives concerning apprenticeships, internships, and interprovincial and international accreditation. All of these measures will help match people to jobs.” (March 22, 2013, Press Release)
Ralph Suppa, President, The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH)
The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) declared its support for the Canada Job Grant program announced in Budget 2013. The program is designed to “directly connect skills training with employers and jobs for Canadians.” Ralph Suppa, president of CIPH, expressed the need for a variety of skills sought after by his organization’s members. “Our 260-plus members are in constant need of specific skills sets in trades, engineering, supply chain management, sales and other support fields,” said Suppa. “A recent survey we conducted shows about 40 per cent of our members will be hiring in the immediate future. These are great jobs, with good stability, very competitive salaries and room for growth. “By engaging employers to provide direction and focus in employee education and training, the Canada Job Grant program will help guarantee our members benefit from a labour pool with the specialized skills they require. We applaud the federal government’s efforts to ensure Canadian employers will have the right person to do the job.” (May 1, 2013, Mechanical Business)
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
The measures announced in today’s budget are a significant step forward in the federal government’s attack on Canada’s skills challenge. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomes a more activist approach by all Canada’s governments to confront a growing problem. “The skills problem leads our Top Ten list of critical barriers to Canada’s competitiveness,” says Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “It’s showing up all across the country, in every industry. We are pleased to see the government is moving to confront it, and to include business directly in the solutions.” Mr. Beatty said the Canadian Chamber has long believed training programs should be designed and run by those closest to the workforce. “We believe in the leadership role of the provinces and territories, which these measures respect, but we’re pleased to see business and educators will now have a central role as well.” (March 21, 2013, Press Release)
Craig Alexander, Chief Economist, TD Bank
TD Bank's Chief Economist Craig Alexander said… he believes the skills training initiative is a "step in the right direction." (March 22, 2013, CTVNews.ca)
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For more information, contact:
Ana Curic
Minister’s Office
Employment and Social Development
819-994-2482
Media Relations
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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This news release is available online at www.actionplan.gc.ca.
