NLIS 1
May 30, 2001
(Human Resources and Employment)

Working Group to explore maximum employment opportunities

Human Resources and Employment Minister Gerald Smith said he is pleased with the initial response to his proposal to establish a working group that will endeavor to determine human resource requirements for the proposed Garden Hill Project.

Garden Hill is an oil and gas development on the Port au Port Peninsula and it represents the first onshore operation in the history of the province.

"My department has the mandate, provincially, for human resources and planning and we are most interested in discussing the human resource requirements for this project with all of the key stakeholders in the community," Mr. Smith said.

The minister has written to key stakeholder groups in the community with the request that they each appoint a representative from their respective organizations to sit on the working group. It will be chaired by Paul Dinn, Senior Analyst with the Department of Human Resources and Employment.

"This onshore oil and gas project has significant operating and economic benefits for residents of the Port au Port Peninsula and other areas of rural Newfoundland and Labrador," Mr. Smith said.

Mr. Smith said the working group will be asked to ascertain the types of skills that would be required for such a project.

"Initially, we have to identify the skills that will be required," said Mr. Smith. "This information will provide us with a good understanding of the type of training that would have to be put in place. We want to ensure that we have the skilled labour available in Newfoundland and Labrador when this project reaches the construction and development stage."

Media contact: Gary Callahan, Communications, (709) 729-4062.

2001 05 30                                               8:50 a.m.