Subjects: EXE, ECO, LBR, NTA
Helping Indigenous people in Naughton, Sudbury and Chelmsford get vital job skills and experience
ATIKAMEKSHENG ANISHNAWBEK, ON, Nov. 14, 2017 /CNW/ - Indigenous people represent the youngest and fastest-growing segment of Canada's population. The Government of Canada, Indigenous communities and other partners need to work together to remove barriers to employment and ensure Indigenous youth get the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in today's workforce.
Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, together with Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, and Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, announced funding of close to $2.6 million for a Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF) project that will help to break down barriers to employment for Indigenous people in Naughton, Sudbury and Chelmsford.
Through the Developing Indigenous Environmental Keepers Program, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek will provide environmental training to 50 Indigenous participants including 15 youth and 35 women. Participants will take part in activities focusing on the environmental aspects of mining, mine closure and rehabilitation of closed mines. As a result of this program, the participants, who are not enrolled in any post?secondary training or education, will be able to increase their employability.
The SPF supports partnerships between Indigenous organizations and training institutions, community organizations, local business and industry to enhance skills development for Indigenous people. These partnership-based projects help to address a broad range of socio-economic issues facing Indigenous people.
By funding this project, the Government of Canada is helping Canadians, including Indigenous people, improve their quality of life and contribute to shaping communities in Canada.
Quotes
"Young Indigenous people are the fastest-growing part of Canada's population, and it benefits us all to ensure they have the skills and training they need to find good jobs. Breaking down those barriers to employment will help grow our economy in a way that gives everyone a real and fair chance at success."
? 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 across the country and to contribute to growing the middle class."
? Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt
"This project will provide Indigenous youth and women with the opportunities they need to build a brighter, positive future for themselves, their families and their communities."
? Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury
"The Developing Indigenous Environmental Keepers Program will provide members of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and surrounding communities with the opportunity to gain skills and training to support them on a path to furthering their studies or gaining meaningful employment in sustainable resource development. This will build capacity for local First Nations to meet the increasing demand for partnerships in resource development and environmental monitoring."
? Christian Naponse - Community Consultation Assistant/Community Research Technician, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek
Quick Facts
- Indigenous people in Canada represent the youngest and fastest-growing segment of the country's population. Over the next decade, 400,000 Indigenous youth will be preparing to enter the workforce.
- The SPF receives $50 million in funding per year, and to date has leveraged approximately $250 million (cash and in-kind) from partnerships since its inception.
- From April 2010 to March 2017, the SPF has served more than 32,000 Indigenous clients, which included helping over 12,500 individuals get jobs in various sectors such as natural resources, trades, health, retail and tourism, and assisting 1,650 individuals to return to school.
Associated Link
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
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