Executive Council
April 24, 2012
Budget 2012 Workforce Investments Support Growth and Prosperity
In a time of unprecedented development, when quality post-secondary education has never been more affordable and accessible, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is meeting a growing demand for labour with Budget 2012 investments.
Through partnerships with business and labour, and innovations in
programs and services, Budget 2012 provides over $108 million in new and
continuing funding to increase apprenticeship training, support
post-secondary institutions and students,
and enhance workforce development.
“Newfoundland and Labrador leads the country in affordable education and growing employment opportunities,” said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills. “With a labour demand forecast of up to 70,000 job openings within the next 10 years, Budget 2012 investments continue our ongoing efforts to ensure today’s opportunities are used to secure a future of growth and prosperity for our people, our communities and our province.”
These investments will help position the province to take full advantage of opportunities by maximizing employment for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and providing access to the skilled, innovative workforce employers need to compete in the global economy.
Supporting Apprentices and Women in Trades
Through Budget 2012, $4.1 million in new funding will support initiatives to
advance apprenticeship opportunities and support women and other
under-represented groups in skilled trades in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The initiatives are:
- Introduction of a Journeyperson Mentorship Program to help increase the number of certified journeypersons available to provide required workplace training for apprentices;
- Expansion of the Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy Program that helps provide work experience to apprentices, with a focus on first and second-year apprentices including those from under-represented groups such as women and persons with disabilities; and,
- Registration of pre-apprentices in the Apprentice Tracking System to assist students completing entry-level skilled trades programs to secure employment and progress to journeyperson status.
Budget 2012 will also provide an investment of $200,000 to establish the Workforce Development Secretariat, which will focus on ensuring that labour market polices and programs are strategically aligned to develop and deploy a highly trained and skilled workforce that can meet evolving labour market demands.
These investments support ongoing efforts to assist apprentices. In addition, a further $10.8 million in federal funding is administered by the Provincial Government through the Labour Market Development Agreement and Labour Market Agreement to support training and programs such as the Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy, the Office to Advance Women Apprentices, and the Government Apprenticeship Hiring Program.
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to advancing women in skilled trades and helping them access employment opportunities in the growing sectors of our economy,” said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. “This government is making investments to reduce barriers for women in the labour market by ensuring that they are trained and prepared to avail of all employment opportunities.”
The Provincial Government has invested significantly to address challenges associated with the skilled trades sector. Since the release of the Skills Task Force Report in 2007, approximately $95 million has been allocated in the areas of apprenticeship, science and technology, programming, training and infrastructure.
Supporting Post-Secondary Education
The Provincial Government is once again leading the way to make
post-secondary education more affordable and accessible. Budget 2012
provides approximately
$66 million to reduce student debt through:
- $44 million to Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic to continue the freeze on tuition for the 2012-13 academic year. Since 2005, $183 million has been invested to support the freeze on tuition rates;
- $19 million for the continuation of up-front needs-based grants and interest-free student loans; and,
- $3 million for continued debt reduction grants.
An investment of approximately $862,000 will assist students by increasing the study period exemption from $50 per week to $100 per week under the Student Financial Assistance Program. This will allow students to earn up to $100 per week from employment earnings during their period of study without impacting their student loan and grant entitlement.
To further support post-secondary education, Budget 2012 includes the following investments:
- Over $2 million to increase base funding at the Marine Institute for new and expanded educational programming, research and student services for continued growth in the oceans sector; and,
- $1.7 million for expansion of the Faculty of Engineering at Memorial for increased enrolment capacity, international recruitment and enhanced co-op placement services.
Investing in Infrastructure
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the critical role of
modern infrastructure at Memorial University to propel its economic
strategy, especially related to ocean science and technology. The Provincial
Government will work closely with Memorial to identify priorities and begin
the planning process for future projects.
Through Budget 2012, the Provincial Government continues to make strategic investments to support post-secondary infrastructure, including:
- $40.8 million for the construction of new residences at Memorial University’s St. John’s and Grenfell campuses for a total commitment of $88.3 million. This investment will create 500 residence beds in St. John’s and at least 200 residence beds at Grenfell Campus to provide additional, affordable on-campus student housing and help alleviate rental housing pressures in these cities; and,
- An allocation of $11.2 million for renovations to existing residences for a total investment of $45.5 million. The renovations will help to modernize the residences, ensuring the continuation of quality and accessible on-campus student housing.
Other investments to support post-secondary infrastructure are:
- $4.7 million for science laboratory improvements to maintain the quality of science laboratories at Memorial University for a total investment of $16.5 million, including new equipment, since 2009;
- $10 million for general improvements and maintenance to Memorial University campuses. This is in addition to $19.4 million that has been invested since 2009; and,
- $2.5 million to accelerate shop modernization at College of the North Atlantic campuses in addition to $9.5 million that has been invested since 2005.
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Media contacts:
| John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Advanced Education and Skills 709-729-0753, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca |
Michelle Hunt Director of Communications Department of Child, Youth and Family Services 709-729-5148, 725-1593 michellehunt@gov.nl.ca |
2012 04 24 2:25 p.m.