Minister Aglukkaq announces support for skills training in Nunavut

RANKIN INLET, NU, May 26, 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 Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development, today announced an investment to the Kivalliq Mine Training Society to provide over 300 Aboriginal people with training for jobs in mining and related industries.

The investment of $1.7 million is provided through the Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF). This program primarily focuses on projects that link training to employment, supporting the Government's priority of helping people develop the skills they need for jobs in high-demand sectors, such as the trades, mining and energy.

Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to provide $215 million over five years, beginning in 2015–16 and $50 million per year thereafter to the SPF.

Today's announcement is one example of what the Government is doing to help Canadians. To help hard-working families, the Government is also enhancing the Universal Child Care Benefit, introducing the Family Tax Cut and making improvements to the Child Care Expenses Deduction and the Children's Fitness Tax Credit.

Quick Facts

• Aboriginal youth are the fastest-growing demographic in Canada and require support and programs to help them fully realize their potential and meaningfully participate in Canada's economy.
• The Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF) encourages Aboriginal organizations to create partnerships with governments, businesses, learning institutions and community organizations that improve skills training and create opportunities for Aboriginal people.
• To date, through around 80 SPF projects, over 6,300 Aboriginal people have found jobs, with 8,000 to 10,000 participants expected to be working after they complete training in spring 2015.
• The Universal Child Care Benefit would increase to up to $1,920 per year for children under the age of 6, and parents would receive a benefit of up to $720 per year for each child aged 6 through 17.
• The Family Tax Cut will eliminate or significantly reduce the difference in the federal tax payable by a one-earner couple relative to a two-earner couple with a similar family income.

Quotes

"Our Government's top priorities are creating jobs and opportunities for all Canadians. Our Government is helping northerners get the skills and training they need to secure meaningful employment and build better futures for themselves and their families."
– The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Member of Parliament for Nunavut

"After two years with great results for Inuit people in entering and advancing in mining and related occupations, the Kivalliq Mine Training Society is delighted in the continued support of the Government of Canada."
– Evan Morrison, Interim Executive Director, Kivalliq Mine Training Society

Associated Links

Aboriginal Labour Market Programs
Helping Families Prosper
Tax Savings
Canada's Economic Action Plan

Inuktitut version

Backgrounder

Skills and Partnership Fund

The Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF) encourages Aboriginal organizations to create partnerships with governments, businesses, learning institutions and community organizations that improve skills training and create opportunities for Aboriginal people.

This program responds to the changing needs and priorities of the labour market, while providing opportunities for Aboriginal people to fully participate in Canada's economy.

Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy

The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) supports over 80 Aboriginal organizations with over 600 points of service throughout Canada to develop and deliver labour market programs and services targeted to the unique needs of clients in their communities. It focuses on three strategic priorities: supporting skills development; fostering partnerships with the private sector and the provinces and territories; and emphasizing accountability and results.

First Nations Job Fund

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 on-reserve Income Assistance recipients in participating communities with access to employment supports and job training so that they can develop the skills they need to find a job.

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2015/05/26/20150526_C8995_PDF_EN_16984.pdf

For further information: Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]; Follow us on Twitter