Government of Canada consults with stakeholders in Winnipeg to help shape new Labour Market Development Agreements

WINNIPEG, July 4, 2014 /CNW/ - Scott Armstrong, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development, today hosted a roundtable on how to strengthen the Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs). He was joined by the Honourable Theresa Oswald, Manitoba Minister of Jobs and the Economy. This is part of a series of roundtables, in cooperation with provincial and territorial governments, across Canada.

As part of its plan for creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity, the Government of Canada is committed to transforming LMDAs to reorient training toward labour market demand. It is expected that the new LMDAs will better connect Canadians with available jobs by ensuring they have access to training for the skills employers need. The Government of Canada transfers over $2 billion annually to the provinces and territories through the LMDAs, which are funded through the Employment Insurance (EI) program, to provide skills training to EI clients and employment services to all unemployed Canadians.

The roundtables give governments, employers and other stakeholders an opportunity to discuss how to make the LMDAs more employer-driven and responsive to the needs of the labour market. The roundtables also give the Government of Canada valuable insight on local skills shortages and gaps.

Quick Facts

• The Conference Board of Canada projects that Manitoba's $5.5 billion infrastructure plan will create 58,900 person-years of employment over the next five years.
• The Construction Sector Council projects that Manitoba's construction industry will need to recruit 16,000 workers over the next decade to meet industry demand.
• As the single largest labour market transfer to provinces and territories, LMDAs help over 600,000 Canadians every year.
• Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes several measures to create jobs and opportunities, such as the Canada Job Grant, the Canada Apprentice Loan and supporting under-represented groups, including youth and older workers.
  
  

Quotes

"Through Economic Action Plan 2014, our government continues to create jobs and pave the way for long-term prosperity by putting skills training at the forefront. The new generation of Labour Market Development Agreements will result in greater employer involvement in training to ensure that Canadians are equipped with the skills employers need now and in the future."
- Scott Armstrong, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development

"The Government of Manitoba is looking forward to leveraging our successful partnerships with employers to continue getting workers the training they need while creating good jobs in Manitoba. Manitoba has been a leader in employer-driven approaches, and I am pleased that the federal government is consulting with business leaders in Manitoba to hear first-hand how we can build on this solid foundation through a renewed Labour Market Development Agreement."
- Theresa Oswald, Manitoba Minister of Jobs and the Economy

Associated Links

• Labour Market Development Agreements
• Canada Job Grant

SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada

Alexandra Fortier
Office of the Minister
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
[email protected]
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