Foundations for Action Developing SkilledAboriginalWorkforce

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Government of Canada Helps Aboriginal People in Meadow Lake Develop Skills

MEADOW LAKE, SASKATCHEWAN

Nov. 9, 2011

Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan will get the training and skills development that they need to get and keep good jobs through support from the Government of Canada.

Mr. Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desnethé–Missinippi–Churchill River, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced that the Meadow Lake Tribal Council will receive $537,928 through the Government of Canada.

"Our government's top priority is jobs and economic recovery. In a constantly evolving labour market, it's important that Canadians get the skills and training they need to succeed," said Mr. Clarke. "This is why we work with partners, such as the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, to ensure Aboriginal people are able to take full advantage of economic opportunities."

"Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada is pleased to fund the Meadow Lake Tribal Council to support client case management and the tracking of training and employment outcomes," said Mr. John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. "This funding is part of the Government's commitment to increasing labour force participation for First Nations people in Saskatchewan following the signing of a historic Active Measures Memorandum of Understanding in March 2011."

The Meadow Lake Tribal Council's Foundations for Action project will assess 1,200 First Nations social assistance clients to determine their skills, education, and employment barriers. Following these initial assessments, over 950 clients will create action plans to enhance their job skills through additional training and employment support.

"The Meadow Lake Tribal Council is proud to be a part of Foundations for Action as it will bring much-needed training and employment opportunities to Aboriginal people in the communities, said Mr. Eric Sylvestre, Tribal Chief of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council. We look forward to developing the skilled work force that is in such demand in our region."

Federal support of $437,928 for this project is provided through the Skills and Partnership Fund, while $100,000 comes from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. The Fund is part of the Government's approach to help First Nations, Métis and Inuit get training and work experience to secure sustainable, meaningful employment. It is intended to encourage innovation in Aboriginal training-to-employment products and service delivery.

This news release is available in alternative formats on request.

BACKGROUNDER

Launched in July 2010, the Skills and Partnership Fund encourages Aboriginal organizations to create partnerships with government, business and community organizations that drive change, improve skills training and create opportunities for Aboriginal people.

The Government of Canada is investing $210 million over five years in this partnership-based, opportunity driven fund. The Fund supports projects that encourage innovation, test new approaches and address systemic gaps in the delivery of employment services for Aboriginal Canadians to ensure this growing population can fully share in economic opportunities. All Aboriginal organizations are eligible to apply for funding under the program.

The Skills and Partnership Fund builds on the success of earlier Aboriginal employment programs. It responds to the changing needs and priorities of the labour market while providing opportunities for Aboriginal people to fully participate in Canada's economy.

The Government of Canada also supports the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy, which is an integrated approach to Aboriginal labour market programming that links training to labour market demand. The Strategy supports more than 80 Aboriginal organizations in the delivery of programs and services to increase Aboriginal participation in the Canadian labour market. It focuses on three strategic priorities: supporting skills development; fostering partnerships with the private sector and the provinces and territories; and accountability and results. The program was launched in April 2010 with funding of $1.6 billion over five years.