July 24, 2015 Ottawa, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada
Today, the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, announced support to build a more robust and inclusive skilled trades workforce by helping employers recruit Aboriginal apprentices in key industries, including trucking, mining and rail.
Under the Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE) program, the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum will receive $210,000 for a project that will strengthen partnerships between employers and Aboriginal groups and create sector-specific strategies and best practices for increasing the representation of Aboriginal peoples in the skilled trades workforce.
Through the creation of industry-tailored strategies and partnerships, the WORBE program is providing up to $500,000 annually for projects that improve the representation of persons with disabilities, women, Aboriginal peoples and members of visible minority groups in federally regulated workplaces.
The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum will also receive $229,645 in Government of Canada funding through Status of Women Canada for a 36-month project to increase opportunities in apprenticeship programs in skilled trades for Aboriginal, rural and immigrant women living in northern and rural/remote areas.
Through this project, an online network will be developed to review employers’ hiring practices, develop tools and best practices for recruiting and retaining women apprentices in skilled trades and create a pool of employers wishing to sponsor women apprentices across Canada.
“Our Government believes that an inclusive workforce that respects and reflects the diversity of Canada’s population will contribute to a stronger Canadian economy. That’s why we’re pleased to provide funding that will help employers in key industries attract and retain Aboriginal apprentices learning a skilled trade.”
– The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P., Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
“With skilled tradespeople in high demand, there is an ever-louder call for workers with the aptitude, interest and skills to undertake well-paid careers in the trades. By collecting insights from employers who are already finding success engaging Aboriginal and female apprentices, we look forward to inspiring others to do the same.”
– Sarah Watts-Rynard, Executive Director, Canadian Apprenticeship Forum
Andrew McGrath
Director of Communications
Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
819-953-5646
andrew.mcgrath@labour-travail.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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The Employment Equity Act aims to achieve equality in the workplace so that no one is denied opportunities for reasons unrelated to ability, and to address workplace disadvantages faced by the four designated groups: persons with disabilities, women, Aboriginal peoples and members of visible minorities.
The Labour Program ensures that federally regulated private-sector employers and Crown corporations report annually on the representation of these designated groups in their workplaces and on the steps they have taken to achieve full representation through the Legislated Employment Equity Program. Employment equity must be included in the employment plans and practices of all federally regulated businesses with 100 or more employees.
There have been varying degrees of progress in improving representation of the designated groups toward achieving equity. However, under-representation persists in a number of occupational groups and industries.
Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity is a new grant and contribution program designed to support employers subject to the Employment Equity Act in their efforts to improve designated group representation in areas of low representation through partnerships and industry-tailored strategies.
