July 23, 2015 Cambridge Bay, Nunavut Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Member of Parliament for Nunavut, and Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development, today announced $3.1 million in funding for a new project that will provide Aboriginal Canadians living in the North with essential skills training for good, well-paying jobs.
The Nunavut Literacy Council has developed a partnership with the Northwest Territories Literacy Council and the Yukon Literacy Coalition to create the Northern Alliance for Literacy and Essential Skills (NALES). NALES will work with stakeholders in the natural resources, tourism and service industries to integrate literacy and essentials skills training into new and existing workplace training programs. As a result, working-age Aboriginal youth and adults who are out of school, unemployed or underemployed will improve their skills and job readiness.
Today’s announcement is one example of what the Government is doing to help Canadians. To help hard-working families, the Government increased the Universal Child Care Benefit, introduced the Family Tax Cut and made improvements to the Child Care Expenses Deduction and the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit.
“Our Government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. By investing in this project, we are helping Aboriginal Canadians across the North increase their workplace skills for good, well-paying jobs. Families, employers and communities as a whole will benefit from a more qualified and ready workforce.”
– The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Member of Parliament for Nunavut
“Canada’s long-term prosperity depends on the labour market participation of all its citizens, particularly those under-represented in the workforce, such as Aboriginal people. By investing in literacy and essential skills, our Government is helping Aboriginal people get the skills and training they need to secure meaningful employment and build better futures for themselves and their families.”
– Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon
“NALES is a working partnership between the Nunavut Literacy Council, the Northwest Territories Literacy Council and the Yukon Literacy Coalition that supports northerners’ access to training and employment. This federal funding will allow NALES to expand its work in literacy and essential skills training, which will increase opportunities for northerners to successfully enter the labour market.”
– Cayla Chenier, Project Director, Nunavut Literacy Council
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
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Office of Literacy and Essential Skills
In 2007, the Government of Canada created the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills (OLES) to support adult Canadians in developing the knowledge and skills they need to enter and succeed in the job market.
Through OLES, the Government works in partnership with provincial and territorial governments, employers and community organizations to provide Canadians with the tools and resources they need to take advantage of job opportunities, contribute to their communities and share in the country’s prosperity. OLES provides funding through the Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program and the National Essential Skills Initiative.
Aboriginal labour market programs
The Government of Canada has a number of skills training programs for Aboriginal people.
The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) supports over 80 Aboriginal organizations throughout Canada in the delivery of programs and services to increase Aboriginal participation in the job market. ASETS focuses on three strategic priorities: supporting skills development; fostering partnerships with the private sector and the provinces and territories; and accountability and results. ASETS was launched in April 2010 with support of $1.6 billion over five years.
The Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF) encourages Aboriginal organizations to create partnerships with governments, businesses and community organizations that improve skills training and create opportunities for Aboriginal people. The SPF was launched in July 2010 with support of $210 million over five years.
The Government of Canada is also improving the on-reserve Income Assistance Program. A key component of this initiative is the $109 million First Nations Job Fund. The Job Fund provides personalized job training to young Income Assistance recipients in participating communities, so they can develop the right skills to secure jobs.
