MP Laurie Hawn gives a speech in the House of Commons on June 3rd, laying out important details from Budget 2013 and explaining how it will continue to keep Canada’s economy on the right track.

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Edmonton, AB – In Alberta, 350 Aboriginal people will be trained for high-demand jobs in the energy sector, thanks to investments from the Governments of Canada and Alberta, and other partners. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Robin Campbell, Alberta Minister of Aboriginal Relations.

Governments, industry, trade unions, training organizations and Aboriginal communities are investing close to $7 million in this training initiative that is designed to address Alberta’s critical skills shortages and build better futures for Aboriginal people.

“Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity,” said Mr. Hawn. “It’s important that Canadians have the skills and training they need to succeed. That’s why, through the Skills and Partnership Fund, our government works with partners to ensure Aboriginal people can take full advantage of economic opportunities.”

Through the Skills and Partnership Fund, the Government of Canada is contributing over $1.9 million to the Trade Winds to Success Training Society to provide Aboriginal people with training and work experience in various energy-related occupations, in particular in Alberta’s oil and gas sector. These include jobs such as boilermakers, carpenters, electricians, welders and pipefitters.

The Government of Alberta will also invest $1.6 million in the project through the through the Ministries of Human Services and Aboriginal Relations.

“The Alberta Government is a proud partner of the Trade Winds to Success Training Society, which has helped more than 500 Aboriginal Albertans build brighter futures for themselves and their families since 2005,” said Minister Campbell. “We are committed to working with Aboriginal communities to ensure they can take advantage of the opportunities available in our province and reach their full potential.”

“The Board of Directors, Trade Winds to Success Training Society staff and, most importantly, the Aboriginal people we serve, would like to thank the federal and provincial governments for their financial support through the Skills and Partnership Fund,” said Deborah Munroe, Executive Director, Trade Winds to Success Training Society. “This funding will allow us to continue doing what we do best—putting Aboriginal people to work in the trades.”

There are 10 other partners, including the Oteenow Employment & Training Society,
Community Futures Treaty Seven, ConocoPhillips and the Alberta Carpenters Training Centre that are making significant investments in this initiative.

The Skills and Partnership Fund is part of the Government of Canada’s approach to help First Nations, Métis and Inuit get training and work experience to secure meaningful long-term employment.

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Edmonton, AB – The Governments of Canada and Alberta are providing support for youth in Alberta to help them gain the skills, experience and knowledge they need to enter and succeed in the job market. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Laurie Hawn, PC,CD, MP for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Robin Campbell, Alberta’s Minister of Aboriginal Relations.

The Alberta Chamber of Resources is receiving over $175,000 for a project to help Aboriginal youth overcome barriers to employment. The Government of Canada is contributing over $95,000 through the Skills Link program, part of the Youth Employment Strategy (YES). The Government of Alberta will also invest $80,000 in the project through the Ministries of Aboriginal Relations and Human Services.

“I am happy to be taking part in this important announcement, as it is ground level funding such as this that can help young people develop skills and gain great experience to prepare for the workforce of tomorrow,” said MP Hawn.

With an annual budget of more than $300 million, YES helps youth, particularly those facing barriers to employment, obtain career information, develop employment skills, find jobs and stay employed. YES includes the Skills Link and Career Focus programs and the Canada Summer Jobs initiative, which creates thousands of job opportunities for students every summer.

Economic Action Plan 2012 is providing an additional $50 million over two years to enhance YES through a new initiative that will connect young Canadians with jobs that are in high demand and help them develop tangible skills and gain work experience.

“Our Government’s main priority will remain the economy, and it is critical to our long term prosperity that we help our youth gain the experience and opportunities they need to succeed,” concluded MP Hawn.

Youth employment programs are part of the Government of Canada’s broader strategy to create an educated, skilled and flexible workforce. The Government underscored its commitment to this strategy in
Canada’s Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit actionplan.gc.ca.

The Government of Canada is helping youth plan their careers, learn new skills and find jobs through enhanced online services available at youth.gc.ca.

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Edmonton, AB – Today the Hon. Laurie Hawn, PC, CD, MP for Edmonton Centre, highlighted the Government of Canada’s investment of $50 million in the Youth Employment Strategy (YES), a new approach to help approximately 3000 young Canadians find jobs in high demand sectors of the economy. The initiative will help address labour shortages by equipping youth with skills and experience, and creating opportunities for them to start careers in high demand fields.
“Just about the best thing we can do for Canada’s economic future is to give our young people the opportunity to develop the job skills to meet labour market demands,” said MP Laurie Hawn.

The Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, kicked off the nation-wide events by launching two Calls for Proposals to deliver the funding—one for Career Focus and one for Skills Link—both of which are existing programs under the Youth Employment Strategy. The Calls will open on September 5 and close on October 19. Organizations across Canada are invited to apply. Organizations, including but not limited to, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, crown corporations, educational institutions, Aboriginal organizations, and provincial, territorial and municipal governments can apply for funding.

“A good job is vital to improving quality of life, and a skilled workforce is vital to building a competitive and prosperous country. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s workforce, and we are committed to bridging the gap for young people who are stuck between having no experience, and no job. With no job, you can’t gain experience,” said MP Laurie Hawn.

The Government of Canada has met with employers from across the country to discuss skills and labour demand shortages. The results of these consultations coupled with the most recent labour market information helped determine what occupations are most in demand.

Organizations applying under Career Focus can receive up to $1.5 million per year. The Career Focus projects must connect recent post-secondary graduates with private sector work experience in high demand occupations and be delivered in a minimum of three different provinces or territories.

Organizations applying under Skills Link can receive up to $2 million per year. The Skills Link projects must provide youth facing barriers to employment with skills development and private sector work experience in high demand occupations.

“Young Canadians are eager to be a part of a strong economic future for their country and their families, and anything that we can do to foster their success will be money well spent,” concluded MP Hawn.

Information is available at servicecanada.gc.ca.

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