Government of Canada Supports Skills Training in Trades for Indigenous Peoples
News Release
April 25, 2016 – Edmonton, Alberta – Western Economic Diversification Canada
Today, Randy Boissonnault, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, announced an investment of $1,069,938 to support the expansion of the pre-apprenticeship training program for Indigenous adult learners managed by Trade Winds to Success Training Society.
Federal funding will support the Society’s ability to rent, renovate and fit-up additional training space in Edmonton and Calgary, a new outreach business model in Bonnyville, and launch a new marketing plan to increase the number of participants and industry partners to the program.
The Society, in partnership with the province’s union groups, will offer pre-apprenticeship training in a variety of trades ranging from ironwork and millwright to carpentry and plumbing.
Quick Facts
- Trade Winds to Success Training Society is a not-for-profit institution that was formed in 2005 as a partnership between the Union Training Trust Fund(s) and Alberta’s Indigenous communities to increase the number of Indigenous people represented and working in the trades.
- A total of 1,191 adult learners have graduated from the program and 96 per cent of students have been placed in work.
Quotes
“Indigenous peoples represent the fastest-growing segment of the Canadian population and are an important part of Canada’s economic prosperity. The Trade Winds to Success Training Society’s expanded pre-apprenticeship program will ensure more Indigenous adult learners have access to the skills and knowledge required to secure a career of choice in the construction trades.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada
"The Government of Canada understands that sometimes, in order to move forward with a career, you need access to training programs. The expansion of the Trade Winds to Success Training pre-apprenticeship program will ensure Indigenous people residing in Alberta, who have an interest in pursuing trades training and employment, have the opportunity to do so."
- Randy Boissonnault, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre
"There is no other program in North America involving these unions, these industries, and Indigenous partners this way. Trade Winds has excellent outcomes in pre-apprentice academic preparation. We are strategically leveraging our academic best practice to work with existing and new partners to meet the challenges of the current Alberta labour market."
- Martyn A. Piper, President of the Board of Directors for Trade Winds to Success Training Society
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Contacts
Donna Kinley
Regional Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 780-495-6892
Email: donna.kinley@canada.ca
Kathleen Thompson
Interim Executive Director
Trade Winds to Success Training Society
Telephone: 780-471-9100
Email: ed@tradewindstosuccess.ca
WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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