Today, the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, along with representatives from Vale, the Nunatsiavut government, Innu Nation, and NunatuKavut Community Council, announced a $23.6 million project led by the Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership (LATP). This includes approximately $3 million from the Provincial Government and over $9.6 million from the federal Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF).
Over the course of this project, LATP will provide skills development and training-to-employment opportunities that will assist over 400 Indigenous participants in Labrador to have the opportunity to work at the Vale mine site. Participants will gain skills and on-the-job training in various occupations including underground miner, apprentice trades, and mine site support and services.
This initiative delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“Indigenous people in Newfoundland and Labrador must benefit from the development of provincial natural resources. Our government is pleased to contribute more than $3 million to this training initiative, which will help ensure Indigenous workers continue to play a vital role in Vale’s workforce at Voisey’s Bay. Through The Way Forward, my government will continue to collaborate with all levels of government, industry players, and Indigenous Governments and Organizations to encourage meaningful career opportunities and economic growth.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Breaking down barriers to employment for Indigenous people will ensure that everyone has a real and fair chance at success. Helping Indigenous people get the skills and training they need to find good jobs will grow the economy, strengthen the middle class and help those working hard to join it.”
Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
“By providing more opportunities and training for Indigenous people, the Government of Canada is demonstrating the importance of helping all Canadians get the skills and experience they need to help build strong communities like ours across the country and to contribute to growing the middle class.”
Yvonne Jones
Member of Parliament for Labrador
“Aboriginal persons are excited about the training and employment opportunities that will be generated through this project, because they are essential components to the long-term sustainability of our Labrador communities. It is a proud and exciting time for the LATP”
Keith Jacque
Executive Director, Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership
“We are very proud of our Indigenous employment success at Voisey’s Bay to date; over 50 per cent of our operations workforce is Innu or Inuit, a rate that has been sustained throughout most of the life of the operation to date. Our goal is to implement strategies aimed at preparing Indigenous people for work in the future underground mine and to ensure that we maintain and grow our aboriginal workforce well into the future; our partnership with LATP is key to our success.”
Joao Zanon
Project Director Voisey’s Bay Mine Expansion Project, Vale
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