In recognition of National Skilled Trades Week (November 2 -8), the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, outlined Provincial Government investments designed to build and strengthen skilled trades training in the province. Since 2006, $53.8 million has been provided in the areas of apprenticeship, science and technology, programming and training and infrastructure to ensure students in Newfoundland and Labrador have the most modern and relevant learning resources.

"The Provincial Government is making significant investments to support skilled trades programming in our post-secondary institutions," said Minister Burke. "This province is looking at the development of major projects such as Hebron and the Lower Churchill which will require thousands of skilled workers. We are making a tremendous commitment, through substantial investments, to make sure the people of our province can access relevant training and take full advantage of the opportunities ahead."

The Provincial Government has begun attracting students to skilled trades at an early age through the Futures in Skilled Trades and Technology high school program, an $11 million initiative which will see the introduction of eight new courses � such as robotics and residential construction � province-wide by 2010. These courses are supported with state-of the-art industrial equipment such as computer-controlled routers and lathes, sliding compound mitre saws and a wide variety of power tools.

To help post-secondary apprentices get the work experience to complete their programs, more than $3.6 million has been allocated over the past three years, specifically targeted at hiring apprentices. With this additional funding, the Department of Education, the Department of Transportation and Works, Memorial University and other government agencies have created opportunities for apprentices.

"I am pleased that as a government we are making a very practical contribution to help build our skilled labour force and I encourage other employers in our province to do the same," said Minister Burke. "We need to work together to ensure our apprentices get the skills they need to continue their training and move on to advanced apprenticeship levels."

Minister Burke said that through Provincial Government investments, College of the North Atlantic has improved its ability to offer timely skilled trades training. Since 2006, $1 million has been invested annually for a shop modernization program, and seating capacity has nearly doubled with an investment of $1.5 million. Two new oil and gas programs have also been developed to respond to industry needs.

Minister Burke is also working to support women in skilled trades. For example, the Department of Education has signed a $200,000 agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to promote the electrical trades. Each year, 66 per cent of the Alberta Centennial Scholarships are provided to women registered in apprenticeship training.

The department also provided $20,000 this year for Skills Canada to expand the Skills Work for Women Conferences. Through this program, female students visit a College of the North Atlantic campus, meet a female working in a non-traditional skilled trade, and discuss the many opportunities skilled trades can offer.

In addition, the Provincial Government has been actively working with natural and energy resource-based companies to ensure that women�s employment plans are created for all resource development in Newfoundland and Labrador. In a first for the province, the Hebron deal has a gender equity plan, which includes equal opportunities for employment and promotion of women, and training and recruitment programs.

"The province will be well-positioned to compete globally for the talent we need to ensure our future prosperity," said Minister Burke. "We are putting measures in place to improve educational opportunities, increase labour force participation and getting people better connected to in-demand areas today. These strategic investments will secure us well into the future."

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