Labour Market Development Council holds roundtable
discussions with the manufacturing sector

Dr. Barbara Barter, chair of the Labour Market Development Council (LMDC), said she is pleased with the roundtable discussions held June 26 with key labour, business and education representatives of the province's manufacturing sector.

"Our roundtable discussions were most productive and useful in the sense that they gave the council a good insight into the many labour related concerns of the province's manufacturing industry," said Dr. Barter. "The manufacturing industry was well represented at the meetings and their representatives provided the council with valuable input and advice."

The LMDC is a 13-member council comprised of representatives of business, labour, education and social sectors. The council is serving as an advisory board to government in the formulation of a provincial labour market development strategy.

"Our role is to act as a mechanism to engage stakeholders in a process to identify issues and build consensus around possible solutions to labour market development," said Dr. Barter. "Over the coming months, the council proposes to meet regularly in an attempt to provide advice that will help advance labour market development throughout the province." 

The council's formation came from the Jobs and Growth consultations where stakeholders urged government to focus on preparing young people for the crucial role they will play in our future economy. The council reports to government through a committee of ministers chaired by Gerald Smith, Minister of Human Resources and Employment and the lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan. 
Media contacts: Dr. Barbara Barter, (709) 886-2675
Gary Callahan, Communications, (709) 729-4062.

2001 06 27                                                           2:20 p.m.