Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island launch the Canada Job Grant to help Islanders get jobs

SUMMERSIDE, PE, Aug. 12, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont (Prince Edward Island), on behalf of the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, today announced the signing of the full agreement for the Canada Job Fund, which includes the launch of the Canada Job Grant, with the Government of Prince Edward Island.

The Honourable Allen F. Roach, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning, who participated in the announcement with Minister Shea, announced that Prince Edward Island is now accepting employer applications for the Canada Job Grant, encouraging all employers to help train Islanders for available jobs. For details on how to apply for the Job Grant, visit Skills PEI's website.

The Canada Job Grant is an innovative, employer-driven approach to help Canadians gain the skills and training they need to fill available jobs. It is designed to be flexible enough to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, in all industries and regions. By requiring employers to put more skin in the game, the Canada Job Grant will result in training that leads to guaranteed jobs.

Quick Facts

• According to BuildForce Canada, the expected retirement of as many as 1 500 workers in the coming decade, combined with a steady construction pace, will result in a continued need for workers with construction-related skills in Prince Edward Island.
• The Canada Job Grant will provide employers with up to $10,000 for training costs for an individual worker, including tuition and training materials.

Quotes

"Our government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. The Canada Job Grant is part of our commitment to address the paradox of too many Canadians without jobs in an economy of too many jobs without Canadians. With employers' skin in the game, the Canada Job Grant will lead to a guaranteed job. Helping employers train Canadians for jobs that need to be filled will help their businesses grow and succeed. And that is good news for the Prince Edward Island economy."
- The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development

"The Canada Job Grant will help workers in Prince Edward Island get the skills they need to fill available jobs in today's economy.  Today's announcement is great news for workers and their families across Prince Edward Island."
- The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont (Prince Edward Island)

"Investment in employees is often the best investment an employee can make. By helping Island workers develop skills that are needed in the marketplace we are helping to strengthen the economy of Prince Edward Island and supporting good careers for the people of this province."
- The Honourable Allen Roach, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning

Associated Links

Canada Job Grant
Prince Edward Island - Canada Job Grant
Prince Edward Island - Canada Job Fund

Backgrounder

Canada-Prince Edward Island Job Fund

The Labour Market Agreements, created in 2007, are being transformed into the new Canada Job Fund to ensure greater employer involvement in training. Prince Edward Island will receive approximately $2 million through the Canada Job Fund.

Canada Job Grant

The Canada Job Grant will help Canadians get the training they need for available jobs and put skills training decisions in the hands of employers. It will provide up to $15,000 per person for training costs, such as tuition and training materials, which includes up to $10,000 in government contributions. Employers will be required to contribute on average one-third of the total costs of training.

By 2017-18, a total of approximately $300 million per year will be invested in the Canada Job Grant.

The provinces and territories will have full flexibility on the source of funds for the Canada Job Grant. They may be sourced from provincial/territorial allocations under the Canada Job Fund, the Labour Market Development Agreements or provincial/territorial sources.

The Canada Job Grant will be for short-duration training provided by an eligible third-party trainer, such as community colleges, career colleges, trade union centres and private trainers. Training can be provided in a classroom, on site at a workplace or online.

All private and not-for-profit businesses with a plan to train Canadians for a new or better job will be eligible to apply for a Canada Job Grant, once implemented.

The Canada Job Grant will be flexible enough to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, in all industries and regions. Small businesses will benefit from flexible arrangements, such as the potential to count wages as part of the employer contribution. This will help ensure that all businesses, regardless of size, can fully participate in the Canada Job Grant.

The Canada Job Grant will ensure that employers participate meaningfully as partners in the skills training system, sharing in the associated costs. This will ensure that training is better aligned with job opportunities, particularly in sectors facing skills mismatches and labour shortages.

The Canada Job Grant is strongly supported by employers and other stakeholders including:

• The Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO;
• National Association of Career Colleges;
• Canadian Federation of Independent Business;
• Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters;
• Canadian Construction Association;
• Information Technology Association of Canada;
• Canadian Welding Bureau;
• Engineers Canada;
• Progressive Contractors Association;
• Christian Labour Association of Canada;
• Canadian Home Builders' Association;
• Canadian Shipowners Association;
• Canadian Electricity Association;
• Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating;
• Merit Canada;
• Polytechnics Canada;
• Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada;
• Chemistry Industry Association of Canada; and
• Aerospace Industry Association of Canada.

SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada