Government of Canada Improves Training and Job Opportunities for Aboriginal People

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, January 23, 2009—At least 200 Aboriginal people will gain valuable skills and employment experience leading to work in the aerospace industry through a new project announced today by the Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Provencher. Minister Toews made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, at the Aboriginal Centre of Winnipeg.“The Government of Canada is taking steps to ensure that Aboriginal people fully share in economic opportunities,” said Minister Toews. “This project will offer Aboriginal people the skills they need to find and keep good quality jobs in the aerospace sector, support their families, and strengthen their communities and the local economy.”

The Aboriginal Aerospace Employment Initiative project, through a formalized partnership with the Aboriginal community, industry and the Province of Manitoba, will provide at least 200 Aboriginal participants with the literacy, essential skills, vocational training and on-the-job training required to work in the aerospace industry.

“This initiative is part of Manitoba’s Rewarding Work strategy, and we expect it to have far-reaching benefits for many Aboriginal families and individuals,” said the Honourable Gord Mackintosh, Minister of Family Services and Housing. “It also builds on our joint efforts to further develop a highly skilled labour market in Manitoba and expand Manitoba’s vigorous aerospace industry.”

Partners contributing to this project include Boeing Canada Technology, Standard Aero, Bristol Aerospace Limited, the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD), the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg, the Government of Manitoba and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, which represents the Manitoba Keewatinook Ininew Okimowin and the Southern Chiefs’ Organization.

“It is an exciting time for the aerospace industry in Manitoba, and we remain focused on growth,” said Mr. Bruce Clarke, Chairman of the Aboriginal Aerospace Initiative. “Manitoba Aerospace has great respect for the work CAHRD has done to date with our industry and looks forward to the possibilities of this partnership. We acknowledge the support of the Governments of Canada and Manitoba, who are also contributing to the success of this project.”

“CAHRD is looking forward to continuing to work with Manitoba Aerospace Human Resources Coordinating Committee, the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the aerospace industry,” said Ms. Marileen Bartlett, Executive Director of CAHRD. “One of our partner companies already has close to a 10 percent Aboriginal work force, and CAHRD is proud to be a contributing factor in that accomplishment. CAHRD has always been committed to helping our community become self-sufficient, and this new program will certainly help our students with obtaining that goal.”

The Government of Canada is supporting this project through its Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program. This program provides Aboriginal people with the training and skills they need to take advantage of job opportunities in industries like aerospace, as well as mining, oil and gas, forestry, and fishery. The Government is investing $5.2 million in this project.

Through the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program, the Government of Canada is aiming to train more than 16,000 Aboriginal people and provide jobs for more than 10,000 Aboriginal workers.

For more information, please see the attached backgrounder.

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This news release is available in alternative formats on request. Call 1-800-788-8282 on a touch-tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).

For further information (media only):

Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559

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Backgrounder

Aboriginal Aerospace Employment Initiative Project

Under this project, the Manitoba Aerospace Human Resources Coordinating Committee (MAHRCC) has created a partnership with the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD), which represents the Aboriginal community; and three industry partners, Boeing Canada Technology, Standard Aero and Bristol Aerospace Limited, to support participants throughout their transition to permanent employment.

The CAHRD will provide guidance to participants, ensuring that they are supported throughout their training and their work experience at the aerospace companies. The MAHRCC will ensure that the industry’s skills and employment requirements are incorporated into the training. This will include working with human resources personnel within the companies to identify retention issues and long-term employment recruitment strategies.

Aboriginal cultural awareness training and activities will also be provided for both the trainers and industry company mentors. Traditional teachings and meetings with elders are scheduled at different stages of the Training-to-Employment plan for the participants. Each participant will be supported throughout the various stages of training and will receive guidance and mentoring on possible challenges, such as intercultural relationships, personal problem solving and integration into the work force.

Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Program

Officially launched in 2003 as an $85-million, five-year labour market initiative, ASEP is designed to maximize training and job opportunities in major economic development projects across Canada. It does this by meeting employers’ needs and labour market demands for skilled workers. In 2007, the Government of Canada invested an additional $105 million in the ASEP program.

ASEP’s ultimate success is contingent on the strong partnership forged between Aboriginal groups, the private sector, federal, provincial and territorial governments, labour, and educational institutions. Since the program’s inception, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada has successfully delivered programming with over 90 partners.