Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
December 30, 2016
Supporting Workforce and Economic Development
in Newfoundland and Labrador
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour Highlights Successes of 2016
The Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour has a mandate to ensure the province has highly educated graduates and skilled workers for a fast-growing economy. The department has worked toward fulfilling that mandate for 2016 and will continue to enhance the workforce and economic development of the province in 2017 and beyond.
"I am proud of the accomplishments of the department, including leveraging federal funding to enhance Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic. We have worked diligently to help ensure the people of this province are equipped with the right skills, education and opportunities to succeed in the workforce."
- The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
In order to prepare our workforce, the Provincial Government invests in post-secondary education and skills training opportunities. A number of initiatives at the Provincial and Federal Government levels have allowed for significant investment in Memorial University (MUN) and College of the North Atlantic (CNA). The Strategic Investment Fund totals more than $33 million in federal funding, with the Provincial Government matching those funds for major projects at MUN and CNA. CNA will also now have the ability to offer applied degree programs, expanding course offerings and enhance its ability to compete in a global market.
The Provincial Government is committed to providing quality and affordable education. Tuition at MUN is the lowest in Canada and we offer the most generous student financial assistance program in the country. Over $52.4 million of MUN's base budget and $10.5 million of CNA's base budget in 2016-17 goes toward supporting the tuition freeze for undergraduates.
Apprentices in Newfoundland and Labrador are supported through the Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy program with $7.1 million in 2016-17. The Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy program provides up to $14 per hour paid directly to the employer, based on the apprenticeship level, to assist apprentices in obtaining skilled trades employment.
A strong focal point for the department this year has been job creation initiatives for a variety of groups and demographics. The goal to increase youth employment included the Student Summer Employment Program - Post-Secondary and High School. These programs received a total of approximately $2.73 million in funding, employing over 1,500 students this summer. The Linkages program, dedicated to funding community organizations to help youth pursue their career and employment goals, provided a total number of 250 placements for 2016-17, worth $2.4 million.
Job Creation Partnerships have employed over 1,300 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians through more than $12.2 million in funding to work on community-based projects, with another round of projects under review for 2016-17. Another job creation initiative that has received significant investment is the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers. The program targets unemployed workers aged 55-64 who live in communities affected by significant downsizing or closures, or who are experiencing high unemployment rates. The total amount of funding for the projects in 2016-17 is $1.87 million.
"Through many partnerships, the department has invested heavily in strengthening our workforce and positioning ourselves for a bright future. This year, to help further our overall goal of a stronger, more diverse economy, the former Labour Relations Agency became part of the Workforce Development, Labour, and Immigration Branch under the new Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour. The services provided by both entities are a natural link and I have been impressed by their work to help the department meet its mandate."
- Minister Byrne
The Workforce Development, Labour and Immigration Branch of the department led the initiative to increase minimum wage by 25 cents to $10.75 on April 1, 2017, followed by an additional increase of 25 cents to $11.00 on October 1, 2017. These increases will bring the Newfoundland and Labrador minimum wage rate in line with other Atlantic provinces. The Provincial Government intends to consult with the public and key stakeholders regarding a method to establish future increases to minimum wage based on an inflationary measure. The branch was also an integral part of amending the Labour Standards Act to increase Compassionate Care Leave provisions from eight to 28 weeks and expanded the period during which the leave could be taken from 26 to 52 weeks to bring the province in line with the Federal Government.
Furthering the commitment to job creation and strengthening our province's workforce is a priority for the Provincial Government and immigration is viewed as an important tool in expanding and enhancing our workforce. In July, the Provincial and the Federal Governments signed the first-ever Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Immigration Agreement, which helps strengthen the governmental partnership and encourages immigration to the province. The two governments also signed the Foreign Qualification Recognition Agreement, which will allow newcomers to benefit from improved foreign credential recognition, allowing them to apply their skills and talents and increasing opportunities for employment in their fields.
Public roundtable consultations were held across the province to help inform The Way Forward on Immigration, an Immigration Action Plan that will be released by March 31, 2017. This plan will provide the specific approach to increasing immigration to our province. A "What We Heard" document was developed based on feedback from the consultations and can be found at www.aesl.gov.nl.ca/immigration_consultations.html.
Promoting immigration and enhancing post-secondary education will advance several of the more than 50 initiatives included inThe Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. The vision guides Provincial Government actions to achieve greater efficiency, strengthen the province's economic foundation, enhance services, and improve outcomes to promote a healthy and prosperous province.
QUICK FACTS
- The Department Advanced Education, Skills and Labour of has invested in post-secondary education and training through a variety of programs and partnerships.
- The Provincial Government invested heavily in job creation initiatives to help strengthen the province's workforce.
- Immigration is viewed as an important tool in expanding our workforce and growing our economy.
- 30 -
Media contact:
| Regan Power
Media Relations Manager Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour 709-729-1795, 730-4435 reganpower@gov.nl.ca |
2016 12 30 1:25 p.m.