Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that Oxygen Technical Services Limited, an information technology service provider in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is the first recipient of the Canada Job Grant. He was joined by Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism, and Greg Selinger, Premier of Manitoba.
The support given to Oxygen Technical Services through the Canada Job Grant will allow the company to provide skills training and certification for 15 employees with emphasis on managed services, cloud computing and Voice over Internet Protocol solutions expertise that will help it expand its business offerings. The company expects this will immediately lead to a promotion for a current employee and the creation of at least seven additional information technology (IT)-related positions in Winnipeg over the next 12 months. The funding will begin flowing immediately to Oxygen Technical Services.
The Canada Job Grant, which was announced in Economic Action Plan 2013, helps Canadians get the training they need for available jobs and puts skills training decisions in the hands of employers. The Canada Job Grant will provide up to $15,000 per person for training costs, such as tuition and training materials, which includes up to $10,000 in federal contributions. When fully implemented, a total of $300 million per year will be invested in the Canada Job Grant nationally.
The Canada Job Grant requires that employers participate meaningfully as partners in the skills training system, sharing in the associated costs. This will ensure that training is better aligned with job opportunities, particularly in sectors facing skills mismatches and labour shortages.
For details on how to apply for the Canada Job Grant, please visit: www.canada.gc.ca/jobgrant.
