Governments of Canada and
Alberta sign a new agreement on training and skills development that will help
prepare Albertans for jobs of the future
The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Secretary of State
(Small Business and Tourism), on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg,
Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and the Honourable Hector
Goudreau, Minister of Employment and Immigration for Alberta, signed a new
agreement to help Alberta workers improve their skills, and to prepare them for
the jobs of the future.
The agreement represents a significant Government of
Canada investment in the people of Alberta and addresses employers' needs for
skilled workers. Under the new agreement, the Government of Canada will invest
nearly $316 million in Alberta's labour market over the next six years.
Through this agreement, residents of Alberta who are
not eligible for training under the Employment Insurance (EI) program will have
more of a chance to improve their skills. The funding will help those often
under-represented in the labour force, including Aboriginal people, immigrants
and persons with disabilities, gain access to the training they need to find
good quality jobs. It will also help people move from low-skilled work to better
jobs in sectors such as construction, manufacturing and health care.
Approximately 5,000 Albertans will benefit directly from the Labour Market
Agreement each year.
"This announcement will help thousands enjoy the
benefits of Alberta's prosperous economy and respond to Alberta's skills and
labour shortage," said Secretary of State Ablonczy. "Our Government has made an
important commitment in our long-term economic plan,
Advantage Canada,
to create the best-educated, most skilled, and most flexible workforce in the
world. With this agreement, we are one step closer to getting this done in
Alberta."
The agreement complements the work Alberta is
undertaking to address its current and future labour market needs, including its
10-year labour force strategy, Building and
Educating Tomorrow's Workforce.
"Helping Albertans develop their skills is critical
for the prosperity of both individuals and the province as a whole," said
Goudreau. "This investment will help ease the skills shortages that limit our
growth and affect our ability to compete internationally."
"Bow Valley College plays a prominent role in
educating the labour force for Calgary and Alberta," says Sharon Carry, Bow
Valley College President and CEO. "Our governments' announcement will allow
institutions such as Bow Valley College to expand its commitment to preparing
Aboriginal people, immigrants, and persons with disabilities for the next steps
in their career path. We congratulate the governments of Canada and Alberta for
renewing this significant partnership which will provide many Albertans with
access to the education they need to succeed."
The new Canada-Alberta Labour Market Agreement comes
into effect this week. It helps fulfill the commitment made in the Government of
Canada's long-term economic plan, Advantage
Canada, and recent federal budgets to
create the best-educated, most skilled, and most flexible work force in the
world. Similar agreements have been signed with several provinces, and further
agreements are being negotiated with other provinces and territories and will be
signed in the coming months. |