Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
June 27, 2008

Grand Bank Company Benefits from New Program for Displaced Workers

Grand Bank-based Dynamic Air Shelters Ltd. (DASL) is set to provide full-time employment to displaced workers through the Provincial Government�s new Fish Plant Workers Employment Assistance Program for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises. In an announcement today in Grand Bank the Provincial Government announced an investment of $180,000 designed to support the transition of displaced fish plant workers into private sector positions with the potential to offer sustainable employment.

"Dynamic Air Shelters is a highly-successful company that continues to experience significant growth in markets that span the globe," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "Through our new program, displaced fish plant workers have the opportunity to acquire new skills in an industry experiencing a labour shortage. Dynamic Air Shelters also benefits from access to skilled-labourers that enable the company to improve its global competitiveness and stimulate economic activity."

DASL will hire and train 18 displaced fish plant workers in product development, hardware assembly, product set-up, quality control, and the operation of industrial equipment. These workers will be employed in the company�s Grand Bank facilities manufacturing air inflatable shelters for markets in Canada and the United States. The funding under the Fish Plant Workers Employment Assistance Program will offset in-house training costs and lower productivity levels anticipated during a time period in which employees acquire new skills and become more efficient.

"This is positive news for Grand Bank and the surrounding communities," said Darin King, MHA for Grand Bank, in making the announcement on behalf of Minister Taylor. "Dynamic Air Shelters has shown steady growth and is emerging as one of the larger employers on the Burin Peninsula. Today�s announcement demonstrates the Provincial Government�s support of the company and commitment to provide new opportunities for displaced fish plant workers."

"Wage subsidy programs provide assistance to train workers that allow companies to compete on an equal basis with other manufacturing companies located in larger urban areas where trained personnel exist," said Harold Warner, President of DASL. "The Provincial Government's new program is welcomed and appreciated by our staff and our company."

DASL is a Newfoundland and Labrador incorporated company with production facilities in Grand Bank and Fortune. The firm manufactures air inflatable structures for the promotional, medical and first-responder markets and industrial shelters for the oil and gas industry.

Fish Plant Workers Employment Assistance Program provides new entrepreneurs and expanding small businesses with funding to employ fish plant workers negatively affected by the closure of a fish plant. The program is intended to accelerate growth and expansion plans of SMEs and to create new, long-term employment in support of the Provincial Government�s Comprehensive Regional Diversification Strategy.

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Media contact:
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca

2008 06 27                                                    1:25 p.m.

 


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