$11.9 Million Helps Increase Work Skills Through Job Creation

With a total investment of over $11.9 million in 2012-13, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has helped 1,343 people find direct employment and expand their job skills through valuable work experience. The latest round of the Job Creation Partnerships program is providing employment for 243 people through 45 projects taking place in communities throughout the province.

“This past year of approvals provided valuable experience in human resources, information technology, construction, marketing, event planning and organization, program development, counseling, and research,” said the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills. “Through the Job Creation Partnerships program, this government is working with municipalities and organizations to help people enhance and develop their skills, find employment, and complete important regional projects.”

Examples of recently approved projects include:

• $160,550 for the AnânauKatiget Tumingit Regional Inuit Women’s Association in Labrador to hire five women to identify the social, economic, health and cultural needs and potential solutions within Nunatsiavut by gathering information about the perspectives of Inuit women and community members across age and occupation;
• $136,094 for the French Shore Historical Society of Conche to hire five people to co-ordinate events and preparations for the Commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht; and,
• $51,520 for the Town of Clarke’s Beach to investigate and document community history, ensuring that historical data is retrieved, stored and made available for future generations to appreciate and use for educational purposes.

“The Job Creation Partnerships program continues to provide participants with work experience to help them secure long-term meaningful employment,” said Minister Shea. “This province will see as many as 70,000 job openings by 2020, and as a government, we are working with our partners – including business, labour and training institutions – to take full advantage of the opportunities ahead.”

The Job Creation Partnerships program funding is provided through direct contributions to sponsors or through the extension of Employment Insurance benefits for project participants and may include in-kind or in-cash contributions from sponsors. The program supports individuals to obtain valuable skills and work experience in order to secure long-term meaningful employment.

Approvals of projects are based on considerations such as the number of EI eligible individuals in the application area, the value of the work experience for participants, and labour market information.

Since 2009, the Provincial Government has delivered approximately 935 projects with a total value of over $40 million, providing employment for over 4,000 individuals.

For a complete list of recently approved Job Creation Partnerships projects, more information on the Labour Market Development Agreement, and Support Measures to assist in reaching career goals, please visit: www.aes.gov.nl.ca/lmda/job_seekers.html 

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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
709-729-0753, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca 

2013 01 25                    2:50 p.m.