NLIS 4
September 29, 2005
(Innovation, Trade and Rural Development)
College of the North Atlantic
receives funding to develop apparel industry
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development have allocated funding to
the College of the North Atlantic (CNA) to develop a pilot program to train
industrial sewing machine operators across the province. The pilot program will
help create a pool of skilled labour for the apparel industry and other
manufacturers that require sewing of components such as the production of tents,
flags, mattresses or upholstered furniture.
�Working with the education sector to meet the demands of growing companies will
fill one of the key needs of the apparel sector in this province,� said R. John
Efford, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of Joseph
McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. �More people,
skilled in industrial labour, will allow companies throughout Newfoundland and
Labrador to grow and expand their production.�
Through its Regional Sectoral Diversification Fund, the Department of
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development allocated $76,710 to the pilot project.
�This funding will help address the need for skilled workers in the apparel
industry by developing a skilled labour pool for businesses which need to grow
their operations. The initiative will provide training in different parts of the
province, thereby allowing more rural enterprises to access work force education
and improve productivity,� said Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Innovation, Trade
and Rural Development. �The program will enhance employment opportunities and
economic growth in the apparel industry, and benefit other needle trade
businesses across the province.�
CNA, in partnership with the Apparel Group of the Canadian Manufacturers and
Exporters, plans to develop and deliver industrial sewing machine operator
training courses in four locations throughout the province (locations to be
chosen at a later date). Each course will be seven weeks in duration and will
teach on average 12 trainees per course using industrial sewing machine
equipment.
"I am delighted that the College of the North Atlantic is able to respond to the
changing needs of the labour market, particularly those of the apparel
industry," added Tom Hedderson, Minister of Education. "Our White Paper policy
document on post-secondary education points out that an educated and skilled
workforce is the key to our success. Initiatives like this will help ensure we
achieve this objective."
"College of the North Atlantic is very appreciative of the financial support
received from the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development for the
delivery of an Industrial Sewing Machine Operator training program," said Pamela
Walsh, President of College of the North Atlantic. "This initiative will provide
trainees with the appropriate knowledge and skills necessary for the continued
expansion of our provincial apparel industry, and is an excellent example of how
the college is partnering with government and industry to enable economic
development in our province."
�Our members have been saying for quite some time that the industry needs access
to increasing numbers of people skilled in the operation of industrial sewing
machines,� said Bill Stirling, vice president of Canadian Manufacturers &
Exporters � Newfoundland & Labrador Division. �This training will help position
companies throughout the province to be able to capitalize on opportunities both
here and in export markets.�
ACOA is providing $51,750 through its Business Development Program which offers
non-commercial investments to support the promotion of entrepreneurship, trade,
marketing and education through industry, community, youth and business
associations.
The Regional Sectoral Diversification Fund is a $5 million fund of the
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and a component of the
province�s Comprehensive Regional Diversification Strategy. The fund provides
non-repayable contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives
that address regional and sectoral development, diversification and innovation.
Media contact:
Val�rie Poulin
Director of Communications
Office of Joseph McGuire
Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(613) 941-7241
Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs
ACOA
(709) 772-2935
Lynn Evans
Director, Communications
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
(709) 729-4570, 690-6290
Stephen Lee
Manager of Marketing and Communications
College of North Atlantic
(709) 643-7929
Bill Stirling, Vice President
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters - Newfoundland & Labrador Division
(709) 772-3654, 743-1566
2005 09 29
10:05 a.m. |