April 16, 2015 – Whitehorse, Yukon – Employment and Social Development Canada
Dakwakada Development Corporation (DDC), a First Nations-owned investment firm, is receiving Canada Job Grant funding to train 40 employees to build their expertise in project management, financial literacy, management and board governance. This training will create better jobs within the company and a stronger workforce. DDC has four companies under its umbrella, including Northerm Windows, Icefield Tools, Kilrich Industries and Castle Rock Enterprises.
Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development, and along with the Honourable Doug Graham, Minister of Education for Yukon, congratulated the organization today for being one of Yukon’s first recipients of a Canada Job Grant.
The Canada Job Grant is an innovative, employer-driven approach to help Canadians gain the skills and training they need to fill available jobs. It is designed to be flexible enough to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, in all industries and regions. By requiring employers to invest in training costs, the Canada Job Grant will result in skills training that leads to guaranteed jobs.
The Canada Job Grant provides up to $15,000 per person for training costs, such as tuition and training materials, which includes up to $10,000 in federal contributions.
“The Canada Job Grant is taking skills training choices out of the hands of government and putting them where they belong: in the hands of employers and Canadians who want to work. By having employers directly involved in training decisions, the Canada Job Grant will lead to guaranteed jobs and will help businesses grow and succeed. And that is good news for the Yukon economy.”
– The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development
“A qualified and skilled workforce is fundamental to a strong economy. By helping employers invest in their workers, we are providing new and better job opportunities for people in Yukon. Dakwakada Development Corporation is a great example of how the Canada Job Grant is helping workers in Yukon get the skills and training they need to fill those jobs.”
– Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon
“This exciting employment initiative promotes collaboration between governments and employers to align skills training for Yukon workers with the requirements of the diverse jobs available in Yukon’s economy. When we partner with the private sector and enterprises like Dakwakada Development Corporation, we ensure that we are supporting job training that meets the needs of employers and leads to employment for Yukon workers.”
– The Honourable Doug Graham, Minister of Education for Yukon
“The training that we have completed to date is a further investment in the group of Dakwakada companies to ensure that we have the right skills to maintain strong management, strategic direction and growth for the future. Dakwakada remains committed to maintaining a strong presence in the Yukon and being a driver in the local economy.”
– Paul Gruner, General Manager, Dakwakada Development Corporation
Aaron Bell
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Employment and Social Development
819-994-2482
aaron.bell@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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Ronuk Modha
Communications, Education
867-332-5082
ronuk.modha@gov.yk.ca
The Labour Market Agreements have been transformed into the Canada Job Fund agreements to ensure greater employer involvement in training. Nationally, the Government of Canada will continue to provide $500 million annually to the provinces and territories for investments in skills training through the Canada Job Fund, which includes the Canada Job Grant.
Yukon will receive approximately $1 million—$500,000 for its per capita share of the available funding, plus $500,000 in supplementary funding to recognize the distinct labour market needs of the territories.
The provinces and territories have flexibility on the source of funds for the Canada Job Grant. They may be sourced from their allocations under the Canada Job Fund, the Labour Market Development Agreements or their own provincial/territorial sources.
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 can 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. Employers are required to contribute one-third of these training costs. By 2017–18, a total of approximately $300 million per year will be invested nationally in the Canada Job Grant.
The Canada Job Grant is for short-duration training provided by eligible third-party trainers, such as community colleges, career colleges, trade union centres and private trainers. Training can be provided in a variety of settings including a classroom, on site at a workplace or online.
All private and not-for-profit businesses with a plan to train Canadians for a new or better job are eligible to apply for a Canada Job Grant.
The Canada Job Grant is flexible enough to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, in all industries and regions. Small businesses may benefit from flexible arrangements, such as the potential to count wages as part of the employer contribution. This will help ensure that all businesses, regardless of size, can fully participate in the Canada Job Grant.
The Canada Job Grant will ensure 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.
The Canada Job Grant is strongly supported by employers and other stakeholders, including:
• Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO;
• National Association of Career Colleges;
• Canadian Federation of Independent Business;
• Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters;
• Canadian Construction Association;
• Information Technology Association of Canada;
• Canadian Welding Bureau;
• Engineers Canada;
• Progressive Contractors Association;
• Christian Labour Association of Canada;
• Canadian Home Builders’ Association;
• Canadian Shipowners Association;
• Canadian Electricity Association;
• Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating;
• Merit Canada;
• Polytechnics Canada;
• Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada;
• Chemistry Industry Association of Canada; and
• Aerospace Industry Association of Canada.
