Government of Canada helps over 260 Indigenous youth across southern Ontario region improve job skills and gain work experience Français
WELLAND, ON, Oct. 25, 2018 /CNW/ - A strong economy depends on a strong middle class where everybody has a real and fair chance to succeed. Indigenous peoples represent the youngest and fastest-growing segment of Canada's population, yet they continue to be underrepresented in Canada's workforce.
That's why today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour and, Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, announced a combined $8 million in federal funding to the Niagara Peninsula Aboriginal Area Management Board (NPAAMB). The NPAAMB's two innovative projects will provide essential skills and job training opportunities to over 260 Indigenous youth across southern Ontario.
The NPAAMB will receive approximately $3 million through the Government of Canada's Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program (ALLESP) for their four year project - Journey to Success - Essential Skills in the workplace for Indigenous Youth. In partnership with Niagara College, NPAAMB's Journey to Success project will offer 112 Indigenous learners an in-classroom opportunity to learn key cultural competencies, essential and employability skills. This focused training will also offer Indigenous youth with paid work placements in high demand sectors such as tourism, hospitality and the building trades.
The NPAAMB will also receive over $5 million in federal funding through the Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF) - Innovation stream to support their Building Futures for Aboriginal Youth project, from 2017 to 2021. The Building Futures project will help 150 Indigenous youth across southern Ontario get focused skills training in the areas of building and construction. NPAAMB, in collaboration with its partners, the YMCA Niagara, the YMCA Ontario Employment Youth and the Habitat for Humanity, will provide participants with the opportunity to build up to fifteen affordable homes for families in need across southern Ontario.
Today's announcement is one way in which the Government of Canada is delivering on its commitment to break down barriers for Indigenous people in Canada's workforce. The Government is investing $2 billion over five years and over $400 million per year ongoing to create a new Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program that will help address employment gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Through additional programs including Student Work Placements and Canada Summer Jobs, the Government is also prioritizing high-quality paid work experience for Indigenous students.
Quotes
"Breaking down barriers to employment for Indigenous people will ensure that everyone has a real and fair chance at success. Helping Indigenous people get the skills and training they need to find good jobs will grow the economy, strengthen the middle class and help those working hard to join it."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
"By providing more opportunities and training for Indigenous people, the Government of Canada is demonstrating the importance of helping all Canadians get the skills and experience they need to help build strong communities like ours in southern Ontario and across the country."
– Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre
Quick Facts
- Essential skills include the skills associated with literacy (i.e. reading, writing, document use and numeracy), as well as thinking skills, oral communication, digital skills, working with others and the skills associated with continuous learning.
- The Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF), encourages Indigenous organizations to form partnerships with governments, businesses and community organizations to provide skills training that contributes to long-term, meaningful employment for Indigenous peoples.
- From April 2010 to March 2018, the SPF has served more than 34,500 Indigenous clients, which included helping over 13,000 individuals get jobs in various sectors such as natural resources, trades, health, retail and tourism, and assisting over 1,700 individuals to return to school.
Associated Links
Office of Literacy and Essential Skills
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
For media enquiries, please contact: Véronique Simard, Press Secretary, Office of the Hounourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, [email protected], 819-654-5611; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
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