Government of Canada helps Indigenous people develop the essential skills to get good-quality jobs

CALGARY, Sept, 14, 2017 /CNW/ - Ensuring that Indigenous people have the essential skills they need to benefit from job training and to launch their careers is a key priority of the Government of Canada.

Today, the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced funding for the project Going the Distance: Engaging the Hospitality Sector in Aboriginal Literacy and Essential Skills Training Development, which will help Indigenous people improve their essential skills.

Through this project, the Further Education Society of Alberta a non-profit organization that works to build the literacy and essential skills of learners, will partner with 15 employment service providers in British Columbia and Alberta to help 330 Indigenous job seekers improve their skills to prepare for and get jobs in the tourism and hospitality industry. The Society will work with at least seven employers to help customize training that meets on-the-job expectations to ensure that participants have a smooth transition into employment.

It is expected that participants will benefit from improved wellness, health and self-confidence. Participating employers will have a better understanding of the workplace and training needs of Indigenous employees.

By funding this project, the Government of Canada is helping Indigenous people improve their quality of life and contribute to stronger economic growth in Indigenous communities and Canada as a whole.

Quotes

"I am proud of this project that will help Indigenous people enhance their job skills and build well-paying careers. By helping those who are traditionally underrepresented in the workforce, including Indigenous people, we are building a strong economy."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

"Canada will prosper when all Canadians, including Indigenous people, have a chance to learn, work and help grow the economy. This is exactly what this project is helping us achieve."
– The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

"The Going the Distance project is an important step in continuing our work with Canada's Indigenous communities and would not be possible without the collaboration of all of our partners. The workplace LES training framework developed through this project will add significantly to people's understanding of Indigenous literacy and essential skills." 
– Elaine Cairns, Executive Director, Further Education Society of Alberta

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is investing over $2.7 million in the Going the Distance project over the next 3.5 years.
• Essential skills include the skills associated with literacy (i.e. reading, writing, document use and numeracy), as well as thinking skills, oral communication, computer use/digital skills, working with others and the skills associated with continuous learning. They provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people to better prepare for, get and keep a job, and adapt and succeed at work.
• Access to essential skills and literacy training creates a foundation for lifelong learning and access to opportunity.

Associated Link

Office of Literacy and Essential Skills

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Backgrounder

Office of Literacy and Essential Skills

The Government of Canada created the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills in 2007 to support adult Canadians in improving their essential skills to enter and succeed in the job market.

The Government of Canada has identified nine essential skills that are used in every job to varying degrees and at different levels of complexity: reading, writing, document use, numeracy, oral communication, working with others, thinking skills, digital skills and continuous learning.

Through the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills, the Government works in partnership with provincial and territorial governments, employers and community organizations to provide Canadians with the resources they need to take advantage of job opportunities, contribute to their communities and share in the country's prosperity. The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills provides funding through the Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program and the National Essential Skills Initiative.

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

For media enquiries, please contact: Matt Pascuzzo, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, [email protected], 819-654-5611; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]