Advanced Education and Skills
October 16, 2012

Minister Participates in Launch of Industry Day 2012

Over 70 College of the North Atlantic (CNA) students will get valuable job experience today, October 16, through the third annual Industry Day. The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills participated in the launch, illustrating how the Provincial Government is working with partners in industry, business, labour and education, helping ensure a co-ordinated approach to meeting the labour demands of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Industry Day is a valuable opportunity for students to gain insights on their future careers as they progress through their post-secondary training in this province,” said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills. “As the provincial economy grows and labour market demands increase, the ability to job-shadow also allows employers to share expertise and knowledge with students who could potentially be their employees one day.”

A partnered initiative between the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association (NLCA), the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association (NLCSA) and CNA, today’s event began at CNA’s Ridge Road and Corner Brook campuses. CNA students are placed with a NLCA member firm for a day of job shadowing and hands-on experience.

“The feedback that we have gathered from the participating students and employers over the past two years has been exceptional,” said Ann Marie Vaughan, CNA’s President and CEO. “The college has always been particularly proud of how its students represent themselves and the institution in the workplace, but having it reaffirmed by industry stakeholders is particularly important to us. The knowledge base our students develop during their time with us speaks volumes about the professionalism of our instructors and the world-class curriculum, developed in conjunction with industry, our students are exposed to in classrooms and workshops.”

Industry Day also provides students with an excellent networking opportunity as they explore career options throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

“With numerous large-scale labour projects, major developments on the horizon, and an expected 70,000 job openings by 2020, this is an unprecedented time of opportunity throughout our province,” said Minster Burke. “To prepare, we have been improving our apprenticeship system, modernizing our training facilities, and making strategic investments that lead the country in post-secondary accessibility and affordability.”

The Provincial Government anticipated an increased demand for labour and has been positioning the province for current and emerging opportunities – including creating the new Department of Advanced Education and Skills, which has a dedicated focus on workforce development. Government has also extended its post-secondary tuition fee freeze, expanded the Student Financial Assistance Program, and continued up-front needs-based grants and interest-free student loans as part of its progressive commitment to providing students with one of the best student aid programs in the country.

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2012 10 16                                            9:10 a.m.