Advanced Education and Skills
Executive Council
February 8, 2013

Public Information Sessions Highlight Skilled Trades Opportunities

Beginning Monday, February 11, the Department of Advanced Education and Skills will offer the first of 15 public information sessions on the Journeyperson Mentorship Program, the latest Provincial Government initiative designed to meet the growing demand for skilled labour. The program provides employers with a journeyperson mentor to support the hiring and training of apprentices.

“For anyone interested in the trades, including apprentices, employers, and students, these sessions will provide an excellent opportunity to learn first-hand about the Journeyperson Mentorship Program,” said the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills. “This innovative program will give momentum to employment opportunities and help grow our provincial economy.”

Dan Crummell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, will attend the Journeyperson Mentorship Program information sessions. The schedule for the sessions, which will be held in 12 locations across the province, can be found in the backgrounder below.

“Public and stakeholder input informed the design of this program, making it an excellent example of this government’s commitment to public engagement when developing policy, programs and services,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement. “I hope that all tradespeople, employers, and those interested in a career in the skilled trades will attend what will undoubtedly be very informative sessions.”

With an investment of $2 million, the Journeyperson Mentorship Program is an industry-supported initiative that helps provide the workforce employers are demanding, optimizes hands-on training, and ensures that journeypersons can pass valuable skills and experience on to apprentices more quickly. It also helps build careers and creates opportunities for skilled trades workers – particularly those in under-represented groups such as women.

“The Journeyperson Mentorship Program was developed following direct discussions with industry, employers and workers during the Regional Apprenticeship Forums held last year throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister Shea. “These public information sessions are a further step in the Provincial Government’s collaborative approach to meeting the growing demand for skilled labour and employment in this unprecedented time of opportunity.”

For more information on the Journeyperson Mentorship Program, including application guidelines, eligibility requirements, and additional support measures to assist in reaching career goals, visit: www.aes.gov.nl.ca/foremployers/journeypersonmentorship.html

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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

Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Journeyperson Mentorship Program Information Session Schedule

 

2013 02 08                                  9:15 a.m.