New Provincial Program Helps Advance Competitiveness of Businesses

The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, today announced the commencement of a $2.2 million Workplace Skills Enhancement Program.

Through its implementation, the new program supports the business retention and expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises by supporting the skills development of existing employees and the recruitment of skilled employees.

�As part of government�s commitment to enhancing the province�s business environment, we are continuously collaborating with industry and labour organizations, community groups, and the business community,� said Minister Skinner. �In response to this dialogue, we are initiating a program that helps address labour market conditions and provide support tools for local businesses as they explore avenues to maximize productivity, improve workforce training options, and attract new employees. The Workplace Skills Enhancement Program is an important step in advancing the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises and their competitiveness.�

Under the Workplace Skills Enhancement Program, skills development initiatives will focus on occupational- and workplace-specific training, industry-recognized certification, and other essential skills needed to remain competitive and promote new growth. It additionally includes a wage subsidy component that enables employers to target new highly-skilled positions or those vacancies that are difficult to fill.

�Small and medium-sized enterprises are at the heart of the province�s vibrant business community,� said Minister Skinner. �Across a wide range of traditional and knowledge-based industries such as agrifoods, crafts, advanced manufacturing, and ocean technology, local businesses are developing products and services with international market potential. Our toolbox of business development programs � strengthened with the addition of the Workplace Skills Enhancement Program � supports their continued advancement and ability to target new opportunities.�

The Workplace Skills Enhancement Program is funded through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Agreement (LMA) and the Strategic Training and Transition Fund (STTF).

"Practical on-the-job training is the best way for workers to learn or upgrade many of the skills they need,� said Bill Stirling, vice president of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Newfoundland and Labrador. �This new program will help companies provide their workers with those training opportunities and will also help deal with issues of recruitment and retention of skilled workers. It is a great example of a 'made in Newfoundland and Labrador' solution to a local labour market issue."

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2009 10 29                                                   11:20 a.m.