Human Resources, Labour and Employment
August 10, 2009

Career Work Centre Opened in Happy Valley-Goose Bay

The Provincial Government�s Career Work Centre network has been extended to Labrador with today�s grand opening of a new facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, opened the new office at 163 Hamilton River Road this morning, bringing the cross-province network one step closer to completion.

"We are establishing Career Work Centres throughout the province to provide employers and job seekers with labour market services that meet their specific needs," said Minister Sullivan. "The employment conditions and labour demographics in each region of the province vary considerably. By establishing regional offices that satisfy the distinct requirements of certain areas, the Provincial Government becomes better positioned to help all displaced workers, job seekers, and employers pursue their employment goals."

Each centre is designed to be a comfortable and welcoming community-based resource that serves the employment needs of area residents by providing information, technological resources, and one-on-one support. Employers and community leaders can use their local centre to avail of valuable statistics and timely information about employment trends. They can also take advantage of the centre�s meeting room to conduct interviews for vacant positions or hold training sessions. Job seekers can use their local centre to find out where employment opportunities exist and then get one-on-one help with preparing for these opportunities. A telephone, fax, photocopier, and computer are available at no cost to any area residents searching for employment.

"I am very pleased to see the career work centre network extended to Happy Valley-Goose Bay," said the Honourable John Hickey, MHA for Lake Melville District. "The area is unique, consisting of nearly 9,000 people with diverse backgrounds, all eager to contribute to a fast growing local economy that includes tourism, natural resource development, and cultural production. I believe the new Career Work Centre will provide employment support that will address the specific needs of the area, and I am eager to see the positive impacts it will have in the future."

To date, the Provincial Government has committed $2.1 million toward expanding the Career Work Centres network across the province. By the end of 2009, the Career Work Centre network will comprise 14 locations providing comprehensive employment support throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

To find out more about Career Work Centres, visit the Provincial Government�s LMIWorks website, at www.lmiworks.nl.ca/CareerWorkCentres/.

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Media contacts:

Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 690-2498
jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca
Dayna Winters
Executive Assistant to the Honourable John Hickey, MHA,
Lake Melville District
709-896-2364
daynawinters@gov.nl.ca

 

BACKGROUNDER

Current Employment Support Initiatives

A list of some of the key employment support initiatives undertaken by the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment follows:

Regional Offices

There is a province-wide network of support services provided by the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment�s (HRLE�s) 28 regional offices, which include the 10 Career Work Centres currently in operation. The department also co-manages over 70 Employment Assistance Services offices with the Federal Government. These sites are complemented by 15 Service Canada Centres, 13 Service Canada Community Offices, and two Scheduled Outreach locations (Port au Port and Sheshatshiu). Strategically located throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, these sites offer a wealth of services to displaced workers including job readiness, employment counseling, income support and other related services.

Career Work Centres

Career counseling, r�sum� writing and job search assistance are just a few of the services offered through the province�s network of Career Work Centres. HRLE currently operates 10 Career Work Centres throughout the province: St. John�s (two sites), Carbonear, Placentia, Clarenville, Gander, Lewisporte, Springdale, Grand Falls.-Windsor, and now Happy Valley-Goose Bay. To complete the planned network of 14 sites, centres in Corner Brook, Stephenville, St Anthony and Marystown will open by the end of 2009.

Career Work Centres provide individuals with access to computers and the Internet to assist in writing cover letters or r�sum�s and conduct on-line job searches. At no cost, telephone, fax and photocopiers are also available. In addition, individuals may use the centre to access daily and weekly newspapers as well as a variety of printed labour market, career and employment materials. Career Work Centres also promote social interaction and networking opportunities to help clients get better connected to services in the broader community.

Displaced workers who are interested in finding out further information about the supports available to them should contact their nearest Career Work Centre. Complete contact information is available at www.lmiworks.nl.ca. Alternatively, they may contact the Labour Market and Career Information Hotline at 1-800-563-6600, or e-mail LMCIHotline@gov.nl.ca.

Labour Market Supports

In addition to offering these services, HRLE and Service Canada can provide displaced workers with a suite of labour market supports, such as skills development, access to training (or re-training), wage subsidies and information on how to start your own business.

Labour Market Development Agreement (i.e. "Devolution")

On November 2, 2009, Newfoundland and Labrador will assume responsibility for the design and delivery of approximately $133 million annually in EI-funded Employment Benefits and Support Measures under a devolved Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA).

The new LMDA is expected to significantly enhance the province�s capacity to respond to the emerging employment challenges and opportunities presented by the current period of economic rapid change. It will provide for greater flexibility in the design and implementation of labour market programs and services, and it will also simplify access for clients and reduce the administrative barriers they often face accessing existing services.

For more information on the LMDA, please visit www.hrle.gov.nl.ca

Labour Market Agreement and Strategic Training and Transition Fund

A new Labour Market Agreement (LMA) and new Strategic Training and Transition Fund (STTF) will help ensure individuals throughout Newfoundland and Labrador have access to the employment and training supports they need.

These new initiatives will help expand and enhance the current suite of provincial labour market programs to provide supports for unemployed, non-EI eligible persons; employed, lower-skilled workers; as well as workers who are being impacted by the current economic downturn. Over 2,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will benefit from these initiatives this year alone. These programs are being funded through a $17.8 million investment in 2009 by the Government of Canada.

2009 08 10                                                         11:20 a.m.


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