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Government of Canada helps African Nova Scotians prepare for high-demand and well-paying jobs in the skilled trades


DARTMOUTH, NS, Aug. 15, 2019 /CNW/ - Canada's changing economy and investments in infrastructure make skills training critical to our future. To keep our economy strong and growing, Canadians will need the right skills to fill in-demand and well-paying jobs. The Government of Canada is taking steps to encourage key groups facing barriers to explore careers in the trades.

Today, Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth?Cole Harbour, announced on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, funding of $228,476 to Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) for its Pathways to Shipbuilding for African Nova Scotians project. This project is funded in part through the new Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness program, which encourages more Canadians, particularly those facing barriers, to pursue careers in the skilled trades through career exploration, skills training and work experience.

Approximately 5,000 Canadians over four to five years are expected to benefit from the new Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness program. Funding started with $6 million in 2018?19 and $10 million per year ongoing thereafter, as announced in Budget 2018.

The Pathways to Shipbuilding for African Nova Scotians project will support 20 African Nova Scotian students through the Pre-Apprenticeship Welding Diploma program at NSCC. The project is specifically designed for African Nova Scotians interested in a career in welding in the shipbuilding industry and employment at Irving Shipbuilding. Recruitment and selection of the 20 participants was led by the East Preston Empowerment Academy, the community partner in the program. 

Employers, provinces and territories, learning institutions, unions, community organizations and individuals all have key roles to play in Canada's continued success in building a skilled, mobile and certified workforce that supports Canada's labour market.

Quotes

"The new Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness program will equip Canadians from key groups with the foundational skills, knowledge and experience they need to get trained and start well-paying careers in the skilled trades. By creating a skilled, diverse and inclusive workforce, our government is strengthening the middle class and creating a more prosperous country."
? The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

"The shipbuilding industry in Nova Scotia is strong, growing and providing good jobs here at home. Our government's support for the Pathways to Shipbuilding for African Nova Scotians project at NSCC will help more Nova Scotians train for the skilled trade jobs needed today and tomorrow."
? Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament, Dartmouth?Cole Harbour

"As Nova Scotia's community college, we are focused on supporting industry and the need for an educated, skilled workforce. The Federal government's investment in our students and their journey through the Irving Shipbuilding Centre of Excellence Pathway's program will enhance their experience and help ensure their future success in the marine sector."
? Don Bureaux, President, Nova Scotia Community College

Quick Facts

 Backgrounder

The Government of Canada invests significantly in apprenticeship through grants, loans, tax credits, Employment Insurance benefits during in-school training and project funding such as for Union Training and Innovation Program projects.

Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness program

Budget 2018 announced the Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness program to encourage Canadians?including those who face barriers, such as women, Indigenous people, newcomers, people with disabilities and youth?to explore and prepare for careers in the skilled trades.

The Program supports pre-apprenticeship training, including:

Union Training and Innovation Program

Through a $25 million annual investment, the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) objectives are to:

The UTIP has two streams:

  1. The Investments in Training Equipment stream helps unions purchase new and up-to-date training equipment. Continuous technological change puts pressure on training providers to ensure workers are developing the right skills needed on the job site.

  2. The Innovation in Apprenticeship stream focuses on innovative approaches to address challenges limiting apprenticeship outcomes, including barriers to participation and success in the trades for key groups such as women and Indigenous people. This stream is open to a range of stakeholders and partners, but unions need to be involved, either as the lead or as a partner on projects. 

The Government has approved 109 UTIP projects, including 34 in 2017?18 and 75 in 2018?19.

On April 30, the Government of Canada launched the 2019 Call for Proposals, a $10 million investment in the Investments in Training Equipment stream of the UTIP. Projects are currently being assessed, and approximately $13.5 million is expected to be invested in this Call for Proposals.

Women in Construction Fund

Budget 2018 announced the Women in Construction Fund with an investment of $10 million over three years to increase the participation of women in construction trades by helping them progress through their training and retain jobs in the trades.

The Women in Construction Fund, which is expected to benefit approximately 2,800 women over three years, supports projects that target the Red Seal construction trades and focus on:

A wide range of organizations and partnerships are eligible for the program, including women's non profit organizations, employer and industry associations, unions, training providers, and provinces and territories.

Three-year projects were solicited in 2018 through a targeted solicitation process with a wide range of organizations and partners eligible for this program. Projects are currently underway.

Budget 2019

To further support the skilled trades, the Government proposed additional new investments in Budget 2019:

Apprenticeship Grants

Since the introduction of the Apprenticeship Grants, almost 853,300 grants have been issued to Canadians, representing over $1.1 billion in funding. This includes:

As Canada's economy continues to grow and create good, well-paying jobs, the Government is committed to ensuring that all Canadians share in and benefit from this success.

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada


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