Human Resources, Labour, and Employment
May 7, 2010

Investment of $1.3 Million Helps Bridging the Gap to New Employment Opportunities

Through a commitment of $1,384,190, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced today that it will partner with the Random North Development Association to deliver six projects under the Bridging the Gap program, employing 77 individuals throughout the province. The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, was joined by the Honourable Ross Wiseman, MHA for Trinity North, and Clarence Williams, President of Random North Development Association, to make the announcement.

Bridging the Gap is an innovative program offered by the Random North Development Association. It connects unemployed individuals with rural businesses that have job opportunities but lack access to a trained workforce within their local area. Individuals are then trained for roles within these businesses, thus helping them bridge gaps in skills and experience that are preventing them from participating in a new field. The overall goal of the Bridging the Gap model is to enhance the employability of individuals by improving their academic and practical abilities, while fostering industry, business, and rural development.

"Community-based programs like Bridging the Gap are instrumental in helping us grow the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador, especially in rural areas where most of these projects operate," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "This program trains people for jobs in the areas where they live, it provides employment at the end of the training, and it gives employers the trained workforce they need to grow their businesses - a true win-win arrangement."

"I am pleased to be part of this very positive announcement for the Random North Development Association," said Minister Wiseman. "This organization provides great leadership and has paved the way for successes right across this great province. Projects that were once focused solely on the Trinity North region have now grown province-wide in scope. Through our government's funding the Random North Development Association will continue to provide numerous benefits to people seeking employment and continue to help diversify our province's economy, which is a scenario we are very proud of."

The following businesses and organizations are partnering with the Random North Development Association for the Bridging the Gap program: Newfoundland and Labrador Vegetation Control Ltd., the Labrador Group of Companies, Dynamic Air Shelters, Holson Forest Products Ltd., LMD Enterprises Ltd., and the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (See backgrounder for more information).

"I think the Bridging the Gap education to employment model is an excellent example of how community development, government and business work together to improve social and economic growth in rural Newfoundland and Labrador," said Mr. Williams. "Through this program, we'll be providing workplace learning to meet the needs of our training participants and business partners. The end result is providing individuals with a direct link to full-time employment."

Random North Development Association is a regional organization made up of volunteers who have an interest in promoting and supporting social and economic development. It has been using the Bridging the Gap model to create new employment opportunities since 1998.

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BACKGROUNDER
Bridging the Gap Partners

Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association is dedicated to the continued growth and strength of the industry and its members. On behalf of its members in Newfoundland and Labrador, it advocates for professional driver training programs that meet the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association Professional Driver Training standard, which includes such things as on-the-road supervised workplace experiences with an accredited carrier and industry screening of new entrants. They have demonstrated an ongoing need to employ 14 individuals to meet the needs of four companies.

Dynamic Air Shelters is a growing company with production facilities in Grand Bank and Fortune. The firm manufactures inflatable structures for four distinct markets: oil and gas, construction industry, promotional sector, and emergency and first responder. They are partnering and assisting 14 employees to train and work in all areas of their company which include: cutting table, laborers, welders and industrial sewers.

Holson Forest Products Ltd. is a Newfoundland owned and operated company that produces dimensional and specialty lumber out of its manufacturing facility near Roddickton. The company is completing an expansion of its business which includes a pellet plant. They currently have a need to employ 14 individuals to accommodate the expansion.

LMD Enterprises Ltd. is located in Springdale and specializes in advanced air exchangers at an industrial level. The company has demonstrated a need to hire at least 10 employees with advancement opportunities.

Newfoundland and Labrador Vegetation Control Ltd. is currently implementing the Bridging the Gap model in Springdale to assist 14 displaced Abitibi workers and other individuals in the area seeking long term attachment/re-attachment to the workforce. These individuals are currently participating in training and work experience after which they will be employed full-time as vegetation management specialists with the company.

The Labrador Group of Companies is comprised of four tourism companies that have partnered to address a common recruitment and retention issue within their respective companies. These businesses are in need of a minimum of 11 full-time employees. Positions will include cooks, chamber maids, front desk clerks, customer service, human resources, tour guides and bartenders.

2010 05 07                  10:25 a.m.