Harper Government Helps to Provide Aboriginal Students at Nunavut Arctic College with Tailored Post-Secondary Skills and Training

Canada's Post-Secondary Partnerships Program links education programs to local labour market needs

IQALUIT, July 17, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, on behalf of The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, announces support to Nunavut Arctic College for a program designed and delivered to prepare First Nation and Inuit youth with the skills and training needs to join the labour market.

Nunavut Arctic College will receive $750,000 for the Early Childhood Education Certificate and Diploma program that will allow students in Nunavut to build the skills needed to access jobs within multiple sectors.

By promoting post-secondary education programming linked to labour market needs, the Government of Canada is ensuring that youth are equipped with the tools and opportunities they need to find and hold meaningful, sustainable jobs.

The revamped Post-Secondary Partnerships Program (formerly the Indian Studies Support Program) aligns with government priorities by supporting post-secondary institutions to develop and deliver courses with a strong relationship to labour market needs.

Quick Facts

• Our Government's post-secondary education programs are specifically intended to support First Nation and Inuit students and provide them with the opportunity to acquire the skills needed to enter the labour market and be full participants in a strong Canadian economy.
• A total of 73 projects across Canada are receiving support to assist Canadian post-secondary institutions in the design and delivery of college and university-level courses that respond to local labour market needs of First Nation and Inuit students.
• The Post-Secondary Partnerships Program was redesigned in 2013-2014 to introduce a competitive, national proposal-driven process based on merit and focused on meeting labour market needs.
• First Nation and Inuit students can further benefit from our Government's Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP), University and College Entrance Preparation (UCEP), and additional federal post-secondary education support such as the Canada Student Loans and Grants Program and Can Learn.

Quotes

"I am proud that our Government is supporting Inuit learners at Nunavut Arctic College through the Early Childhood Education Program. Through specifically tailored curriculum and skills training, this project will ensure that students not only develop essential skills but are better prepared to participate fully in the growing Northern economy."

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council

"Our Government is delivering results for Canadians and supporting measures that will help create jobs and opportunities for Aboriginal people. I firmly believe that a good job beats any social program out there; that's why our Government continues to support initiatives that will create concrete and lasting results in the lives of Aboriginal students. This is about getting the skills and training they need to find and keep a good job and improve their overall well-being. "

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"Nunavut Arctic College is pleased to receive funding for its Early Childhood Education program from the Government of Canada's Post-Secondary Partnerships Program. This funding, along with funding from other partners, will further the Government of Nunavut's Sivumut Abluqta commitments of promoting and recognizing the importance of early childhood education in preparing children and their parents for a successful start in life and school."

Peter Ma
President, Nunavut Arctic College

Associated Links

AANDC's Post-Secondary Partnerships Program 
Post-Secondary Partnerships Program 2015-2016 Guidelines 
AANDC's Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool
Canada Student Loans Program 
Can Learn
Indspire 
AANDC's Post-Secondary Education Programs

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SOURCE Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

For further information: Contacts: Emily Hillstrom, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada819-953-1160; Jamie Bell, Public Affairs, Nunavut Arctic College, Email: [email protected], 867-857-8625