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.


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