Le Lézard
Classified in: Business
Subjects: POL, CFG

Government of Canada announces funding agreements to give Albertans better access to jobs and training


EDMONTON, June 27, 2018 /CNW/ - By investing directly in Canada's greatest asset?its resilient, hardworking people?the Government of Canada is helping to ensure that the economic growth Canada creates is the kind of growth that works for everyone.

Today, the Honourable Minister Patty Hajdu, Canada's Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour and the Honourable Christina Gray, Alberta Minister of Labour, announced that the governments of Canada and Alberta have signed agreements that will see Canada provide the province with over $1.7 billion over six years to invest in Albertan workers. These agreements represent an increase in funding of nearly $500 million over the period, compared to previous funding levels. This increase means that about 124,000 more Alberta workers will benefit than before.

Speaking at Women Building Futures Training Centre, Minister Hajdu said that these agreements will significantly increase the jobs and skills training available to people in Alberta, including apprenticeship training, self-employment training, academic upgrading, English as a second language, and more.   

Through these agreements, the Government of Canada is ensuring more people benefit from programs than before?particularly people from groups typically underrepresented in our workforce, such as people with disabilities, women, and Indigenous people. For example, programs like the Aboriginal Training to Employment Program, the Persons with Developmental Disabilities Employment Preparation and Placement Supports program, and Women Building Futures ? which supports more women in building their careers in the skilled trades ? will all see renewed funding through the agreements announced today. As innovation and technology continue to change how we live and work, people in Alberta, and all Canadians, are met with new challenges and new opportunities. This Government investment in jobs and skills training will help Alberta's workforce prepare for the good, well-paying Canadian jobs that will be created by Alberta's growing economy. Everybody deserves the opportunity to benefit from an innovation-driven economy?and that means ensuring  both employed and unemployed people have opportunities to acquire the skills they will need for the jobs of today as well as the jobs of tomorrow.

The agreements announced today are the new Workforce Development Agreement (WDA) and the Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA). In the first two years, Alberta will receive approximately $490 million?more than $182 million through the WDA and nearly $308 million through the LMDA.

Results matter. That is why these agreements include a commitment to performance measurement. That means that Canada and Alberta will be able to measure how programs are increasing people's earnings, helping them get jobs that last, and breaking down barriers for under?represented groups like Indigenous people, people with disabilities and women. The Government of Canada will be reporting to Canadians on the impacts of these programs, so that they are transparent and so that they can be continually improved.

The WDA will help Alberta deliver training and services, such as:

Funding under the LMDA will allow Alberta to help more people and more employers meet their needs, through measures such as:

Every Canadian deserves a fair and equal chance at success in the workforce. Through smart investments like the provincial agreements announced today, we can strengthen our middle class and help more of the people working so hard to join it.

Quotes

"I know that our greatest asset as a country is our people. Through investments like today's agreement with Alberta, we are ensuring Albertans, and all Canadians, can continue to be competitive, resilient, and responsive as jobs evolve and as our economy grows. When we give people the tools to succeed, our middle class grows stronger and our workers create a better future for themselves and their families."
? The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

"Our government has the backs of working people and we're focused on the priorities of everyday Albertans ? creating good jobs and making life more affordable. This agreement with the federal government will help Albertans get the training, or re-training, they need to succeed in our growing and diversified economy. While things are looking up, and as our economy continues to improve, we will work to ensure that Albertans have the support they deserve."
? The Honourable Christina Gray, Alberta Minister of Labour 

Quick Facts

Associated Links

Workforce Development Agreements
Labour Market Development Agreement 
Canada-Alberta Labour Market Transfer Agreement

Follow us on Twitter 

Backgrounder

Changing demands of the workplace

Canada is home to a well-educated and highly skilled workforce, but rapid technological change and globalization are accelerating the need to learn and develop new skills. As the demands of the workplace change, so too must the skills that workers bring to their jobs. The Government of Canada is taking action to ensure that both employers and governments are more responsive to workers' needs.

The new and amended agreements followed broad-based consultations with more than 700 stakeholders on how to expand and improve skills training and employment supports for Canadians.

Workforce Development Agreements

The new Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs) consolidate the Canada Job Fund Agreements, the Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities and the former Targeted Initiative for Older Workers. In addition to the $722 million provided annually to provinces and territories under the WDAs, Budget 2017 added $900 million over a period of six years from 2017?18 to 2022?23. The new funding will also support provincial and territorial employment programming for older workers, which was previously supported by the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers.

Through these agreements, the Government is providing Canadians with more opportunities to upgrade their skills, gain experience or get help to start their own business. The agreements also mean more support, such as employment counselling, to help Canadians plan their careers.

Labour Market Development Agreements

Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs) are bilateral agreements with each province and territory to design and deliver employment programming similar to Employment Benefits and Support Measures outlined in Part II of the Employment Insurance Act. LMDAs help unemployed Canadians quickly find and return to work. They also ensure a skilled labour force that meets current and emerging needs of employers.

Budget 2017 measures to expand eligibility to help more Canadians access skills training and employment assistance under the amended LMDAs include:

These agreements represent an increase in funding of over $2.7 million over the period, compared to previous funding levels. This increase means an estimated 730,000 more workers will benefit over the six years.

More recently, in Budget 2018, the Government of Canada announced an additional $80 million in 2018?19 and $150 million in 2019?20 to work with key provinces to find local solutions to help support seasonal workers in the off-season.

 

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada


These press releases may also interest you

at 13:05
Regulatory News: MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT ? the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company and a leader in the development of Microbiome Ecosystem TherapiesTM (MET) dedicated to enhancing survival of patients with cancer, today reported...

at 13:00
Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Nextdoor Holdings, Inc. f/k/a Khosla Ventures Acquisition Co. II ("Nextdoor" or the...

at 13:00
The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Snowflake Inc. ("Snowflake" or the "Company") ....

at 13:00
Desjardins Investments Inc. ("DI"), as manager of the Desjardins Funds, announces changes to its mutual funds. These changes, described in detail below, consist of name changes to its range of SocieTerra Funds and Portfolios and two Wise ETF...

at 13:00
The following is written by Dr. Steven Gonzales, Chancellor, Maricopa Community Colleges, a member of the American Association of Community Colleges: Arizona, like many states across America, is facing a nurse shortage.  The pandemic has taken a toll...

at 13:00
Silent Quadrant, a premier cybersecurity consultancy, through its strategic partnership with JBB Advanced Technologies (JBBAT), significantly enhanced Tronic's cybersecurity posture, contributing to its remarkable $12.25 billion sale to Tronic...



News published on and distributed by: