OTTAWA, May 8, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, today commended the National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) for leading the way in providing employer-led training in Canada.
Speaking at the NACC's annual conference, Minister Kenney stressed the ongoing need to train students for the current and emerging needs of the job market. Minister Kenney noted that by providing the right mix of in-class training and on-the-job experience, career colleges are ensuring their graduates have the skills employers need.
Minister Kenney provided examples of how career colleges are working with employers across Canada to produce graduates that are getting well-paying jobs in high demand fields. In particular, Minister Kenney noted that a partnership between Willis College in Ottawa and network security company Fortinet has resulted in 50 Willis College graduates being hired by Fortinet. This partnership between Willis College and Fortinet where employers are directly involved in ensuring that Canadians are getting the skills employers are looking for is exactly what the government is doing with the Canada Job Grant.
Lastly, Minister Kenney highlighted that the federal government is seeking more employer involvement in all of its training programs. The federal government recently reached agreements with the provinces and territories on the Canada Job Grant, has secured more employer involvement in the Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities and is seeking more employer involvement in the renewed Labour Market Development Agreements.
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada has taken a number of steps to ensure Canadians have the skills for the jobs in demand today including the Canada Job Grant and apprenticeship grants.
- Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes several measures to ensure training reflects the needs of the labour market and Canadians have the skills to take advantage of the jobs and opportunities available to them, such as the Canada Apprentice Loan, which could provide up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of technical training for apprentices registered in their first Red Seal trade.
- The Government of Canada is also introducing the new Flexibility and Innovation in Apprenticeship Technical Training pilot project that will explore ways to allow apprentices to continue working while fulfilling the technical training requirements of their programs.
Quotes
"Our government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. By bringing employers to the table, career colleges across Canada are helping Canadians get the skills in demand in today's economy. Through measures like the Canada Apprentice Loan, Canada Job Grant and apprenticeship grants, the Government of Canada is helping Canadians get well-paying jobs and helping employers get the skilled workforce they need."
– The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development
"Career colleges are an integral part of the post-secondary education sector. Minister Kenney recognizes that and involves the career colleges sector in important initiatives such as the Alternative Career Pathways project, which has been funded by Employment and Social Development Canada, and the recent mission to Europe on training and skills."
– Serge Buy, Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Career Colleges
Associated Links
Government of Canada helps newcomers find jobs faster
youth.gc.ca
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]; Follow us on Twitter
Share this article