Supporting Prosperity Through a Skilled Workforce

Budget 2014 Provides $1.5 Million to Support High Demand Programs

The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, visited College of the North Atlantic (CNA) in Labrador West today to provide details of the $1.5 million allocated for the college through Budget 2014 to support high demand, high priority programs. Minister O’Brien was joined by Ann Marie Vaughan, CNA’s President and CEO.

“The Provincial Government is working with post-secondary institutions to provide students with high-quality programming and the skills needed to contribute to the province’s growing economy. Our investments for College of the North Atlantic through Budget 2014 will support training and advance apprentices while securing more skilled workers for employers throughout the province, including Labrador West.”
- The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills

The $1.5 million allocated to CNA will support programs such as Heavy Equipment Operator, Maintenance Management Professional and Leadership Development for the Mining Industry, and is part of an overall investment of $39.8 million announced through Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook to continue the development of a skilled workforce for Newfoundland and Labrador.

“This investment in College of the North Atlantic is a proactive approach and testament to our government’s commitment to the people of Labrador West and the entire province. Workers in this region, particularly those impacted by the idling of Wabush Scully Iron Ore Mine, want to stay and work in Labrador and investments in high demand, high priority programs will help to secure employment for residents and ensure that families remain in Labrador.”
- The Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister Responsible for Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs

Budget 2014 also provides $1.7 million for industrial shop modernization at college campuses and $1.5 million as part of a two-year $4.3 million capital investment for a medical science laboratory facility at CNA’s Grand Falls-Windsor campus.

“As the public college for Newfoundland and Labrador it is our mandate to ensure we offer programs that meet industry demand as well as student demand. The college has already taken significant steps to offer training that is relevant to today’s labour market and this approach has resulted in an 8.2 per cent increase in enrolment and a 20 per cent decrease in waitlist numbers. The funding announced by the Provincial Government through Budget 2014 will be used to continue our ‘in demand’ approach to program delivery at our campuses throughout the province.”
- Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO, College of the North Atlantic

For more information about apprenticeship and trades certification, visit: www.aes.gov.nl.ca/app/index.html.

Information on programs offered by College of the North Atlantic can be found at: www.cna.nl.ca/.

QUICK FACTS

• The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, was in Labrador West today to discuss the $1.5 million provided to College of the North Atlantic through Budget 2014 to support high demand, high priority programs.
• Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook provides $39.8 million to continue the development of a skilled workforce in Newfoundland and Labrador. This funding will support training and advance apprentices, while securing more skilled workers for employers.
• Budget 2014 also provides $1.7 million for industrial shop modernization at college campuses and $1.5 million as part of a two-year $4.3 million capital investment for a medical science laboratory facility at CNA’s Grand Falls-Windsor campus.

- 30 -

2014 04 03                                   11:45 a.m.