Summary of activities on the Avalon Peninsula supported by the Canada-Newfoundland & Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement

Randy Williams, Avalon District Director with Human Resources Development Canada and Roxie Wheaton, Regional Manager � Avalon Region, Human Resources and Employment, today released a summary of activities funded in the past year under programs administered through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA). These activities took place in communities served by offices located in St. John�s, Harbour Grace and Placentia.

"During fiscal year April 1, 2001 - March 31, 2002, over $37.4 million was committed to the LMDA," said Randy Williams. "This resulted in over 4,500 clients, including 789 social assistance recipients availing of these programs and services. These numbers indicate that people are finding them to be very useful in better preparing themselves for the labour market."

Roxie Wheaton added that these programs are going a long way towards ensuring that unemployed persons can get the appropriate assistance to re-join the workforce. "As a direct result of the LMDA, approximately 2,300 achieved employment which demonstrates that the agreement is working," explained Ms. Wheaton. "The skills training, on-the-job training and work experience received by participants shows that they are prepared for the work force."

The following highlights some of the achievements through the Employment Benefits and Support Measures (EBSMs) offered under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement:

� Skills Development funds enabled 3,802 Employment Insurance eligible participants to get the skills training programs they needed in order to participate in the labour market (2,376 participants started a new program while 1,426 continued a program they started the previous year). During the last fiscal year, 1,205 individuals who had completed skills development training, secured employment. Persons who avail of this program must first complete an action plan in conjunction with a designated employment counsellor specifying how they will realize their career plans.

� Through Job Creation Partnerships (JCP), 877 participants received valuable work experience. As a result of their JCP work experience, 455 participants found employment. JCP projects bring together local partners such as businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and various levels of government to create employment opportunities. The main criteria for JCP is that the work experience provided to out-of-work individuals should lead to long term employment as well as help the local economy.

� Targeted Wage Subsidy (TWS) - a program designed to help find jobs for individuals who are having difficulty finding work because of a disability or lack of experience, was used to assist 244 participants. During the last fiscal year, 154 participants continued working after the subsidy ended. Under this program, wage subsidies are offered to employers to hire persons whom they may not have otherwise hired. Employers benefit by having more staff and unemployed persons benefit by learning new skills.

� Local Labour Market Partnerships (LLMPs), provides financial assistance to community-based labour market partners involved in dealing with local labour market challenges. Under this option, there were 60 partnerships formed with community-based organizations.

� Self-Employment Benefits (SEB) are used to help individuals while they were engaging in starting a new business. Under this program, eligible individuals receive financial support up to a maximum of 52 weeks to help them develop their new business endeavors. During 2001 � 02 fiscal year, 67 participants started a new business with assistance from SEBs.

� Employment Assistance Services (EAS) such as employment counselling, are offered through agreements with community groups and organizations. The services can range from self-service information on the labour market or job openings, to a full case management service including arranging access to Employment Benefits and Support Measures. During fiscal year 2001-2002, over $4.1 million was dedicated to EAS. As a result of counselling interventions, over 400 individuals were successful in finding employment.

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador have established partnerships to help unemployed workers reintegrate back into the labour market. The measures are funded, in whole or in part, by the Government of Canada from the Employment Insurance (EI) account. To be eligible, participants must have established a claim for EI benefits; or have had their EI benefit period ended within the last three years; or have established a claim for EI maternity or parental benefits within the past five years and are re-entering the labour force after having left it to care for newborn or newly adopted children. Other criteria may apply.

Media contact:

Michelle Andrews
Communications Consultant
Human Resources Development Canada
St. John�s
(709) 772-0234

Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education
St. John�s
(709) 729-6573

2002 06 14                                2:45 p.m.