Government of Canada Supports Skills Training Opportunities in
Newfoundland and Labrador

Beginning November 2, the skills development and employment programs that used to be delivered by the Government of Canada will be transferred over to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, Senator Fabian Manning made the statement at the Avalon West Community Development Corporation, where he announced $14.5 million in funding for projects designed to help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians find and keep good jobs. Beginning next week, the Province will become responsible for the majority of these types of projects.

�Our government is proud to work with our provincial and community partners to offer valuable skill development and training for unemployed individuals,� said Senator Manning. �We appreciate that the provinces and territories are best placed to design and deliver training programs that suit the needs of workers and employers.�

Under the new Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement, the Government of Canada is transferring $133 million annually in training funds to the Province. With this support, the Province will assume responsibility for the design and delivery of Employment Insurance funded programs for people in Newfoundland and Labrador. The federal government will also continue to support programming targeting youth, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal people and individuals with low literacy skills.

�Assuming responsibility for the Labour Market Development Agreement is an important component of an overall approach to respond to the new labour market challenges facing Newfoundland and Labrador,� said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. �The Williams Government is very excited about our new role as it will allow the province greater flexibility in the design and delivery of labour market programs and services in order to better meet local, regional and provincial labour market needs.�

Among the projects announced today, the Avalon West Community Development Corporation will receive $447,349 to deliver employment-related services to 3,000 unemployed persons, helping them prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. This project is funded under the Employment Assistance Services program, which supports organizations that offer employment services to help clients re-enter the labour market.

�It is through support like this that we can continue to avail of such essential services here in our own region,� said Mr. Andrew Careen, Chairperson of the Avalon West Community Development Corporation.

As committed in Canada�s Economic Action Plan, Newfoundland and Labrador will also receive an additional $43 million for labour market programming. The federal government also provides the Province with $7.5 million per year to train people who are not eligible for Employment Insurance. These new supports deliver on the Government�s commitment to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development.

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2009 10 30                                                   2:30 p.m.