Harper Government Invests in Mining Sector Skills Training for Aboriginal Workers in Northern Ontario

KENORA, ON, April 4, 2014 /CNW/ - Hundreds of Aboriginal workers in Ontario will gain the skills necessary to help them secure jobs in the mining sector through a local investment by the Government of Canada. The Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development.

Through the Skills and Partnership Fund, the federal government is contributing over $5.2 million to the Seven Generations Education Institute to provide training and work experience to 315 Aboriginal participants in various in-demand occupations related to the mining sector in the Thunder Bay-Rainy River area. Successful participants are expected to secure jobs in industries such as mining and trucking.

Four other partners are also funding this project, including Aboriginal organizations and private sector partners, which brings the total project value to more than $11.4 million.

Quick Facts

• Aboriginal communities are benefitting from resource development across Canada. The natural resource industry currently supports 31,000 Aboriginal jobs—making natural resources the largest employer of Aboriginal people in Canada.
• The mining industry is expected to face significant shortages over the next decade, as a result of anticipated growth, an aging workforce, and difficulty attracting younger workers, recent immigrants and women to rural and northern locations. The industry will need about 145,000 new workers by the end of 2023.
• This project is an excellent example of how the Government of Canada is working in partnership with Aboriginal organizations and industry to address Canada's critical skills shortages.

Quotes

"Our government's top priorities are creating jobs and opportunities for all Canadians. This project will help Aboriginal people get the skills and experience they need to get available jobs in Ontario's mining sector."
- Greg Rickford, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario

"Today's federal government announcement provides Seven Generations Education Institute with the opportunity to support Aboriginal learners with access to much-needed training and skills to participate in the mining industry and contribute to the Canadian economy."
- Delbert Horton, CEO Seven Generations Education Institute

Associated Link

Aboriginal Labour Market Programs

Backgrounder

Skills and Partnership Fund

Launched in July 2010, the Skills and Partnership Fund encourages Aboriginal organizations to create partnerships with government, business and community organizations to improve skills training and create job opportunities for Aboriginal people.

This partnership-based, opportunity-driven fund responds to the changing needs and priorities of the job market, while providing opportunities for Aboriginal people to fully participate in Canada's economy.

The Government of Canada also funds the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) that supports more than 80 Aboriginal organizations in delivering programs and services to increase Aboriginal participation in the job market.

First Nations Job Fund

Through Economic Action Plan 2013, the Government of Canada is improving the on-reserve Income Assistance program.  A key component of this initiative is the $109 million First Nations Job Fund. The Job Fund provides personalized job training to young Income Assistance recipients in participating communities, so they can develop the right skills to secure jobs.

Economic Action Plan 2013 also introduced a number of other investments to help Aboriginal youth reach their potential and participate more fully in Canada's economy:

• $10 million over two years to the national charity Indspire to provide post-secondary scholarships and bursaries for First Nations and Inuit students;
• $5 million over five years for Cape Breton University's Purdy Crawford Chair in Aboriginal Business Studies; and
• confirmation of the Government's commitment to consult with First Nations across Canada on the development of a First Nations Education Act.

Economic Action Plan 2014

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes several investments to help Aboriginal people build better futures for themselves and their families. These include:

• $1.25 billion from 2016-17 to 2018-19 in support of First Nations control of the proposed First Nations Education Act. In addition, Economic Action Plan 2014 confirms a new Enhanced Education Fund that will provide funding of $160 million over four years starting in 2015-16;
• $323.4 million over two years to continue to implement the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan;
• $303 million annually in support of First Nations housing needs on reserves;
• $66.1 million over two years to renew the Atlantic and Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries initiatives; both initiatives help integrate First Nation fishing enterprises into existing commercial fisheries, providing economic opportunities for First Nation fishermen and improving the management of fisheries on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts;
• $40 million over five years for disaster mitigation in First Nations communities; this reaffirms the Government's commitment to provide stable funding for response and recovery activities;
• $25 million over five years to continue efforts to reduce violence against Aboriginal women and girls; and
• $22.2 million over two years for the Aboriginal Justice Strategy.

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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