Minister Poilievre highlights government priorities to help families prosper and ensure Canadians get the skills and training needed for the jobs of today and tomorrow
HALIFAX, NS, March 5, 2015 /CNW/ - Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development, addressed the Canadian Home Builders' Association's annual conference today and highlighted the Harper Government's priorities to help Canadians get the skills they need for available jobs today and tomorrow. During his remarks, Minister Poilievre announced that since January, 101 apprentices have received the new Canada Apprenticeship Loans in Nova Scotia.
The Minister also highlighted that the Harper Government is working to:
- provide Canadians better labour market information so they can make more informed career decisions;
- reform skills training so that Canadians are better prepared for the jobs that are in demand; and
- tap into under-represented groups—such as youth, newcomers, older workers, Canadians with disabilities and Aboriginal Canadians—who may already have the skills and are ready to work.
Minister Poilievre further outlined several Government of Canada initiatives that both employers and workers can benefit from, such as the Canada Job Grant and investments to improve labour mobility in Canada by harmonizing requirements for training in the trades.
Finally, he highlighted the importance of measures that the Harper Government is introducing to help families prosper—the same families that are looking to the residential housing industry for quality homes. These measures include enhancements to the Universal Child Care Benefit, the introduction of the Family Tax Cut and improvements to the Child Care Expense Deduction and the Children's Fitness Tax Credit.
Quick Facts
- The Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) would increase to $1920 per year for children under the age of 6 and parents may receive a benefit of $720 per year for each eligible child aged 6 through 17.
- Since 2006, the Government has provided nearly $700 million through apprenticeship grants to over 530,000 Canadians across the country.
- The Canada Job Grant will provide up to $15,000 per person for the direct costs of training, such as tuition and training materials, which includes up to $10,000 in government contributions.
- Economic Action Plan 2014 created the Canada Apprentice Loan to provide apprentices registered in Red Seal trades with access to over $100 million in interest-free loans each year. At least 26,000 apprentices are expected to benefit.
- Apprentices in skilled trades do most (80 to 85 per cent) of their learning during on-the-job paid employment. They are also required to participate in technical training for short periods of time ranging from six to eight weeks each year.
- Apprentices registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship will be able to apply for interest-free loans of up to $4,000 per period of technical training.
Quotes
"The Harper Government's top priorities continue to be creating jobs and economic growth. That is why getting Canadians ready for the jobs of today and tomorrow and helping families keep more of their hard-earned income will help ensure Canada's long-term prosperity and benefit Canadian families."
– The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development
"Our residential construction industry is one of Canada's largest employers, representing more than 900,000 direct and indirect jobs. We were very pleased to have the Minister with us today at our annual conference so shortly after he has taken on his new post, one so important to our industry. We estimate that by 2024 our industry will need nearly 130,000 new skilled workers. The federal government can play a critical role in seeing that there are skilled young people to fill these jobs, and in so doing, support the economy and housing affordability for all Canadians."
– Kevin Lee, CEO of the Canadian Home Builders' Association
Associated Links
Government of Canada Programs for Apprentices
SOURCE Canada's Economic Action Plan
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