April 12, 2014 – Owen Sound, ON – Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, today completed a tour of the Grey Bruce region with Larry Miller, Member of Parliament for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.
Minister Kenney and MP Miller visited the Bruce Power nuclear facility, where Minister Kenney applauded the company’s investments in employee training and apprenticeship to address the skills pressures in the nuclear industry. Minister Kenney praised Bruce Power’s training centre and student internship programs. He also encouraged the company to take advantage of federal programs that help provide Canadians with the necessary skills training and apprenticeship opportunities for well-paying, in-demand jobs.
Minister Kenney and MP Miller also visited Georgian College and emphasized the vital role of Canada’s colleges in preparing the skilled workforce Canada needs now and in the future. Minister Kenney praised how closely Georgian College works with industry and community partners to offer students cutting-edge training and relevant work experience for in-demand jobs. He also highlighted federal programs that support Canadians with skills training and apprenticeship opportunities.
Minister Kenney and MP Miller also visited Krueger Custom Steel & Machining Ltd. in Owen Sound, which has more than quadrupled its number of workers in the last 20 years.
Alexandra Fortier
Office of the Minister
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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The Government of Canada is taking action to ensure Canadians can make better choices and get the skills and training that employers are looking for.
Economic Action Plan 2014 announced new programs and support for apprentices including the following:
- The Canada Apprentice Loan will expand the Canada Student Loans Program to provide apprentices registered in Red Seal trades with access to interest-free loans of up to $4,000.
- The Flexibility and Innovation in Apprenticeship Technical Training Pilot project will expand on the use of innovative approaches to apprentice technical training ($13 million over four years).
- The Employment Awareness Initiative for Apprentices will increase awareness of the financial supports available to support apprenticeship training.
- The Canada Job Grant will help Canadians get the training they need for available jobs and put skills training decisions in the hands of employers. It will provide up to $15,000 per person, cost-shared by employers. The Grant will be flexible enough to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, in all industries and regions. Once it is implemented, businesses with a plan to train Canadians for an existing job or a better job will be eligible to apply for a Canada Job Grant.
