Executive Council
October 25, 2013
Consultations Taking Place on Potential Changes
to Federal Skills and Employment Programs
The Provincial Government is holding public consultations in nine
communities across Newfoundland and Labrador next week to gain a clear view
of how employers and other stakeholders feel about potential changes to
federal skilled trades and employment program funding.
“Employers are telling us there has been insufficient federal
consultation on potential changes to federal skilled trades and employment
program funding through the proposed Canada Job Grant,” said the Honourable
Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills. “These provincial
consultations will provide opportunities for employers to identify their
concerns, and help shape a collective voice that the Federal Government must
consider.”
Under the potential changes, the Federal Government would divert as much as $600 million in funding from existing programming to the Canada Job Grant. There is a further concern that a requirement of businesses to contribute to the proposed Canada Job Grant in order to participate would leave the majority of small and medium-sized businesses excluded.
“Through these consultations, we will gather important feedback from employers and other groups, which we will share publicly and present to the Federal Government once this process is complete,” said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement. “We are looking forward to having a strong representation from employers, stakeholders, and other interested parties participating in these public sessions.”
The locations and dates for the sessions are as follows:
| Date | Location | Venue | Time |
| Monday, October 28 | Labrador City | AES Employment Centre | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, October 29 | Grand Falls-Windsor | AES Employment Centre | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, October 29 | Corner Brook | AES Employment Centre | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, October 29 | Gander | Service NL Office, Fraser Mall | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, October 30 | Clarenville | IBRD Office, Cormack Building | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, October 30 | St. John’s | Capital Hotel | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, October 30 | Marystown | AES Employment Centre | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, October 31 | Stephenville | Kindale Public Library | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. |
| Friday, November 1 | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | AES Employment Centre | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. |
To register, please call the Department of Advanced Education and Skills at 1-800-563-6600 or email: LMCIhotline@gov.nl.ca. Those who cannot attend a session are encouraged to visit www.aes.gov.nl.ca to complete a survey and/or provide written feedback.
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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 |
Heather MacLean Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
2013 10 25 2:00 p.m.