Released on May 20, 2015
The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan today announced that they have signed the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Canada and are now in final discussions to retool an existing federal-provincial job training deal. This deal will further align training to labour market opportunities in Saskatchewan.Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development, and Saskatchewan Minister responsible for Immigration, Jobs, Skills and Training Jeremy Harrison, today signed an MOU to direct officials to finalize the deal.
“Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity,” said Poilievre. “The new generation of job training deals will result in greater employer engagement to ensure that Canadians are equipped with the skills employers need now and in the future.”
“We want to ensure everyone in Saskatchewan has access to the training and employment services they need to fully participate in our strong, diversified economy,” Harrison said. “Funding provided through the Labour Market Development Agreement will ensure these programs and services are in place to help Saskatchewan people secure meaningful employment.”
“With the assistance of the Canada Job Grant, our organization was able to introduce training programs that are significantly more effective and of higher quality than we had originally planned,” Meridian Manufacturing Inc. Human Resources Manager Miro Armeen said. “Our employees will now have a better opportunity in enhancing their skills, which will in turn help us reach our organizational goals.”
Under the retooled deal, training will be better aligned with job opportunities to help the unemployed find available jobs sooner. Employers will have the opportunity for greater input on training to meet their needs, and an amended accountability framework will help ensure EI premium-payers are getting maximum value for premiums paid.
The signing took place at Meridian Manufacturing Inc., a manufacturing company that specializes in storage and handling products to serve the agriculture, industrial and oil and gas sectors. Minister Poilievre and Minister Harrison took the opportunity to announce that approximately 770 workers in Saskatchewan are receiving training through the Canada Job Grant.
To date, 145 employers in Saskatchewan have been approved for funding under the Canada Job Grant. The Canada Job Grant is providing 15 employees with leadership and management training at Meridian Manufacturing Inc.
Quick Facts:
- The Harper Government transfers more than $2 billion annually to the provinces and territories through the Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDA) to provide skills training and employment services to all unemployed Canadians.
- As the single largest labour market transfer to provinces and territories, these job training deals help more than 600,000 Canadians annually.
- $35.2 million is allocated toward the Canada–Saskatchewan deals 2015–16.
- Saskatchewan is currently accepting employer applications for the Canada Job Grant. Employers are encouraged to apply at http://economy.gov.sk.ca/job-grant.
For more information, contact:
Aaron Bell
Office of the Minister of Employment and Social Development
Quebec
Phone: 819-994-2482
Email: aaron.bell@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
Quebec
Phone: 819-994-5559
Email: media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Deb Young
Economy
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4765
Email: deb.young@gov.sk.ca