EDMONTON, June 3, 2018 /CNW/ - Hundreds of young people are making their mark in the skilled trades and technology fields during 2018 Skills Canada National Competition in Edmonton this week.
Peter Schiefke, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Youth), on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workplace Development and Labour, today recognized those accomplishments while touring the events and displays at the 24th annual Skills/Compétences Canada (S/CC) national competition in Edmonton. About 500 competitors from across the country vie for awards and the chance to become part of the biennial WorldSkills Competition in Kazan, Russia in late August 2019. The Government of Canada supports the national competitions, as well as National Skilled Trades and Technology Week and participation in the WorldSkills events, through an investment of approximately $23.4 million over five years (2017–2022).
Many fulfilling and respected career opportunities exist for young people in skilled trades. The Government is encouraging Canadians to pursue a career in the skilled trades through measures like the Canada Apprentice Loan, the Canada Apprenticeship Grant and the Canada Job Grant, as well as other grants and tax credits. The Government has also helped increase awareness about careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professions, skilled trades and technologies, reaching over 300,000 youth annually across the country.
Mr. Schiefke praised the long partnership between the Government of Canada and S/CC and how the provincial/territorial skills organizations offer local, regional and provincial/territorial competitions to thousands of young people every year. Participants must compete and win at the initial levels before representing their area at the nationals. These competitions bring youth competitors from the high school and college levels together to compete in a variety of skilled trade and technical events.
Initiatives like these competitions help to attract more young people to the skilled trades. Workers in the skilled trades are in high demand: They build our communities and contribute to a more prosperous Canada
Quotes
"Canada needs more and more new skilled tradespeople to take us forward. Our government's long partnership with Skills/Compétences Canada has helped attract young people to join the much-needed skilled trades and help us grow our economy."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
"Helping Canada's youth develop strong skills and find good jobs is one of our main priorities and thanks to our partnership with Skills/Compétences Canada, we're making real headway. Learning the skilled trades and technologies can help put stable, rewarding and good paying jobs into the reach of those who need them most. But more than that, they give young Canadians the chance of a rewarding future."
– Peter Schiefke, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Youth)
"We see year after year how the Skills Canada National Competition and our related programs and events throughout Canada have a significant impact on thousands of youth and their future careers. Workforce demands are evolving so quickly now, so it's imperative that our youth are proficient in their use of Essential Skills, and know about the many exciting skilled trades and technology jobs that exist."
– Shaun Thorson, Skills/Compétences Canada CEO
Quick Facts
- Funding for Skills/Compétences Canada is provided through Career Focus, one of three program streams under the Government's Youth Employment Strategy (YES). Each year, the Government invests more than $330 million in the YES to help support young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 in getting the information, skills, job experience and abilities they need to find and maintain good employment.
- Through Budget 2018, the Government provides an additional $448.5 million over five years, starting in 2018–19, to the YES. This funding will support the continued increase of the number of job placements funded under the Canada Summer Jobs program in 2019–20.
- Budget 2017 invested an additional $395.5 million over three years. Combined with Budget 2016 measures, these investments will help:
- more than 33,000 vulnerable youth develop the skills they need to find work or go back to school;
- create 15,000 new green jobs for young Canadians; and
- provide over 1,600 new employment opportunities for youth in the heritage sector.
Associated Links
Youth Employment Strategy
Career Focus Program
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
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