VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced funding for the Construction Sector Council to address the industry's long-term human resources issues now and in the future.
Speaking at the Selkirk Waterfront Condominium construction project in Victoria, Minister Lunn announced $3 million over four years to support the work of the Council in dealing with skilled labour shortages.
"In the past two years, our government has fulfilled its commitment to introduce major initiatives that directly help skilled trades workers and the skilled trades sector, including the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, the Tradesperson's Tools Deduction, and the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit," said Minister Lunn. "Today's investment in the Construction Sector Council goes even further. We are supporting the construction industry-one of Canada's largest employers-so that construction jobs can be filled quickly over the long term with employees who have the right skills."
The Construction Sector Council will receive the funding through the federal government's Sector Council Program. The funding will enable the Council to focus over the next four years on implementing its plan for programs and projects that respond to skills needs, strengthen human resources development, and create new opportunities in the Canadian construction industry.
"The Construction Sector Council appreciates the federal government's continued commitment to the construction industry's work force development," said Mr. George Gritziotis, Executive Director of the Construction Sector Council. "Today's announced investment allows us to continue working on a national staging ground to build relationships with all stakeholders, address regional realities of our labour market, leverage best practices, and come up with new and innovative solutions."
Sector councils play a vital role in helping to strengthen the labour market, thereby contributing to the productivity and competitiveness of the economy and the standard of living of all Canadians. They bring together governments, business, labour and educational stakeholders in key sectors to share ideas, concerns and perspectives about work force issues. Canada's sector councils have been successful at meeting emerging skills requirements, addressing skills and labour shortages, and building essential skills in the workplace as a foundation for continuous learning.
Additionally, through its unprecedented $33-billion Building Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada will provide long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada will support a stronger, safer and better country.
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