Mr. David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, has announced support to the Canadian Steel Trade and Employment Congress (CSTEC) for its Workforce Development Initiative. This initiative is helping employers in the steel industry retain and retrain workers who are facing layoffs and will enable them to recruit and train new apprentices.
"Our government is partnering with industry to help ensure Canadians have the skills necessary to make our country competitive in the recovering global economy," said Mr. Sweet. "Our government is taking action to invest and create good jobs today."
Last year, the Congress received $1.8 million, which helped retain and employ 140 workers in the steel industry. Following the success of that initiative, the Government of Canada is providing an additional $250,000 to help employers in the industry hire 50 new apprentices.
"The Workforce Development Initiative between CSTEC and the federal government has helped the steel industry to retain and to expand its skilled trades workforce in this very difficult and uncertain economic environment," said Mr. Robert Jones, Executive Director of the Congress. "These investments by the industry and the federal government will pay off in a stronger and more globally competitive steel industry in Canada."
This project complements other investments the Government of Canada is making in skills training for Canadians through grants, tax credits, and support for training programs. For example, through apprenticeship grants, eligible apprentices can receive up to $4,000 upon completing their apprenticeship program and obtaining their journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade.
Through the Sector Council Program, the Government is working with the private sector to enhance adult workers' skills through activities such as increasing employer investments in skills development and promoting workplace learning and training.
Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on government investments in skills development and training to protect Canadians from the impacts of the global economic downturn and provide for the country's long-term growth. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development and training.