Government of Canada supports skills training in northern Quebec mining
industry

KUUJJUAQ, QC, May 31 /CNW Telbec/ - The northern Quebec mining industry will get a boost in skilled labour as a result of a training and skills development project. The Phase 2 Raglan/Tamatumani project is based on an agreement between the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec, the Kativik Regional Government and Xstrata Nickel.

The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced that the Government of Canada is contributing $9 million towards this project. The balance of the funding, which is more than $30 million, is coming from Xstrata Nickel, Emploi-Quebec and the Kativik Regional Government.

"In today's environment, it is more important than ever that people have the skills that will enable them to participate and succeed in the job market," said Minister Paradis. "Through the Phase 2 Raglan/Tamatumani project, our government is working with industry and Aboriginal organizations to help Canadians get good jobs in the northern mining industry. This is part of our overall strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world."

Through this project, Aboriginal people will receive the skills training they need to build careers at Xstrata Nickel's Raglan Mine. Once the project is finished, the participants will be able to use their transferable skills to obtain long-term employment.

The Government of Canada's contribution to this training and skills development project is delivered through the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program.

The ASEP program promotes partnerships between the Government of Canada, other levels of government, local organizations and employers. It provides on-the-job training that leads to long-term jobs in high demand professions such as mining, hydro development, fisheries, tourism, construction and infrastructure.

Canada's Economic Action Plan provided an additional $100 million in funding to ASEP to provide more and better opportunities for Canada's Aboriginal people.

More information about Canada's Economic Action Plan can be found on the following Web site: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

This news release is available online at www.actionplan.gc.ca.

    
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Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Program

The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program is a nationally managed, opportunity-driven, project-based initiative that promotes increased participation of Aboriginal people in major economic developments through formalized partnerships between Aboriginal partners and the private sector. The provinces and territories also contribute to the projects, and all partners must contribute at least 50 percent of the total cost of the project. The ASEP program supports multi-year training-to-employment strategies leading to long-term skilled jobs for Aboriginal people in existing and emerging industries.

ASEP was initially launched in 2003 as an $85-million, five-year program supporting nine projects that resulted in over 8,700 Aboriginal people receiving training, with more than 3,000 of them finding long-term sustainable jobs. In 2007, the ASEP program was extended to 2012, with an additional $105 million supporting sixteen more projects. Canada's Economic Action Plan is investing to help Aboriginal people participate in the workforce and make the most of employment opportunities, and is providing an additional $100 million towards 20 new projects.

Project Description: Phase 2 Raglan/Tamatumani Project

The objective of the Phase 2 Raglan/Tamatumani project is to support the training, advancement and retention of Inuit participants at Xstrata Nickel's Raglan Mine to maximize Inuit employee potential. The partnership will be formed by the Raglan Mine, the Kativik Regional Government, the Kativik School Board and the Makivik Corporation. The expansion of the Raglan Mine will provide a major economic opportunity for Nunavik, with multiple major construction projects in the North.

    
    Project Sponsors

    HRSDC-ASEP                        $9,000,000    18%
    Xstrata Nickel                    $34,437,394   68%
    Emploi-Quebec                     $3,866,261     8%
    Kativik Regional Government       $2,907,500     6%
    

For further information: (media only): Michelle Bakos, Press Secretary, Office of Minister Finley, [phone]; Media Relations Office, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, [phone]