Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
September 2, 2016

Supporting a Strong Workforce

Minister Byrne Announces Additional $500,000 for Apprentices; Launches Stakeholder Consultations

Apprentices in Newfoundland and Labrador will be supported with an additional $500,000 for the Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy, increasing the subsidy's budget for 2016-17 to $7.1 million. The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, during an event hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association, provided details of the funding increase and announced plans to begin consulting industry partners about the wage subsidy to determine if changes are necessary in today's changing labour climate.

"Supporting a skilled workforce is an important part of our government's mandate. To ensure this new funding is put to best use in a challenging economy and evolving labour market, the time is right to engage with our industry partners. Together, we can build a workforce with the skills needed to secure a stronger economy, now and into the future."
- The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

The additional funding, provided through the Canada-NL Job Fund Agreement from the Federal Government, will be used to assist more non-Employment Insurance (EI) eligible apprentices to secure the employment they require to become journeypersons. The Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy assists both EI and non-EI eligible apprentices, however non-EI-eligible apprentices are traditionally more challenged to find employment due to access to programs and services for which they qualify.

"Apprenticeship programming is industry driven, therefore, consultations are required to ensure stakeholders have an opportunity to provide input on what they feel is currently working well with the program, and equally, what changes or modifications they would view as necessary given the current and future labour market demands for skilled trades."
- David Harris, Chair, Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board

A complete schedule can be found in the enclosed backgrounder. Members of the public will also be welcome to put forward paper submissions on paper or online at app@gov.nl.ca.

"As the demand for skilled trades softens, the need for incentives to encourage employers to hire apprentices is even more important. Additional funding under the program will further support non EI eligible apprentices with work experience to help them progress towards journeyperson status. This is a win-win for employers and apprentices throughout the province."
- Sandra Curtis, Manager, Curtis Powerworks

The Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy provides up to $14 per hour paid directly to the employer, based on an individual's apprenticeship level, to assist them in obtaining skilled trades employment. The current subsidy ranges from 90 per cent for a first-year apprentice, 80 per cent for second year, and 60 per cent for third and fourth year.

"We need to have a long-term approach for the training of a skilled workforce for the future. In challenging economic times, we need to keep an eye to the future demand and make sure we invest appropriately to meet that demand."
- Minister Byrne

For more information on the Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy go to www.aes.gov.nl.ca/lmda/apprenticeship.html

QUICK FACTS

• Apprentices in Newfoundland and Labrador will be further supported with an additional $500,000 for the Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy, to be provided through the Canada-NL Job Fund Agreement, increasing the subsidy's budget to over $7.1 million.
• The Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy provides up to $14 per hour paid directly to the employer, based on an individual's apprenticeship level, to assist them in obtaining skilled trades employment, and ultimately journeyperson status.
• Staff with the Apprenticeship, Trades and Certification Division of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour will begin consultation with industry stakeholders - including employers, workers and educators - in the coming weeks. Members of the public are also welcome to put forwards submissions on paper or online at app@gov.nl.ca.
• For more information on the Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy go to www.aes.gov.nl.ca/lmda/apprenticeship.html

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Media contacts:

John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour 709-729-0753, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca	David Harris Chair Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board 709-944-8400 david.harris@ironore.ca
Sandra Curtis Manager Curtis Powerworks 709-635-3393 scurtis@curtispowerworks.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Schedule for Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy Consultation Sessions

To register, visit www.aes.gov.nl.ca/ or call 709-729-5701

Date	Location	Venue	Time
Monday, September 12	St. John's	College of the North Atlantic, St. John's, Prince Philip Drive Campus	9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 14	Grand Falls-Windsor	College of the North Atlantic Cafeteria, Grand Falls-Windsor Campus	9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Monday, September 19	St. Anthony	To be determined	2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 20	Labrador West	To be determined	3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 21	Happy Valley-Goose Bay	College of the North Atlantic, Happy Valley-Goose Bay Campus	2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday, September 23	Corner Brook	College of the North Atlantic, Corner Brook Campus	9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

2016 09 02                              9:55 a.m.