September 12, 2013
Province Announces Training to Connect Northern Manitobans to Northern Jobs
– – –New Training Initiative Meeting Needs of Industry, Northern Families: Premier
THOMPSON—The Manitoba government is helping to prepare northern Manitobans to meet the labour needs of industry through three new training initiatives, Premier Greg Selinger announced here today at the new University College of the North campus, which is currently under construction.
“These training initiatives are designed to build northern Manitoba’s workforce by helping northern Manitobans find and keep good jobs,” said Selinger. “For those who are currently unemployed, these programs will help provide the necessary support to move from long-term unemployment to steady work.”
The $1.9-million training investment includes:
- The Training to Employment Pathways Initiative (TEP) – This program prepares Aboriginal and northern residents for entry into semi-skilled or skilled jobs, assists existing workers to transition into more advanced jobs, supports individuals wishing to enter or continue job-specific training, and prepares apprentices for trades qualifier exams. TEP will create a pool of labour accessible by multiple industries by providing training in essential skills common to several current and emerging job opportunities.
- The Northern Apprenticeship Training Co-op – This initiative is piloting new ways of delivering apprenticeship training in the north with 15 apprentices in the heavy-duty equipment technician trade. Through this initiative, the Northern Manitoba Sector Council will co-ordinate the short term placement of apprentices with multiple employers to ensure they gain experience in the full scope of their trade.
- The Process Operator in Training (POinT) Program – This consists of a customized assessment tool and targeted training programs developed by Vale Manitoba Operations in co-operation with Workplace Education Manitoba and the Northern Manitoba Sector Council. The Atoskiwin Training and Employment Centre in the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (Nelson House) was selected as the first community-based pilot for the delivery of Introduction to Industry – Mining, a 12-week training program to provide trainees with the Essential Skills required for the POinT program.
Selinger also toured the new University College of the North campus, currently under construction in Thompson.
“This new campus will play a key role in meeting the growing need for trade and technology training in northern Manitoba,” said Selinger.
“Vale is very pleased with the support from government and the ongoing partnership,” said Lovro Paulic, vice-president of Vale Manitoba Operations. “We feel that we are having success with pre‑employment training which achieves our goal of northern people in northern jobs as a result of training in the north. The training we have created is innovative, flexible and responsive, and leads directly to real jobs.”
“These initiatives are generating real, substantive results: northern people getting high quality training that leads to good jobs,” said Doug Lauvstad, executive director of the Northern Manitoba Sector Council.
“These initiatives are succeeding because we’re delivering them in the communities where they’re needed and we’re also working closely with industry to meet their needs,” said Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton. “The result is better access to more workers to fill jobs and help employers grow their businesses, and a more skilled workforce that is better able to reach their full potential in the labour market.”
For more information on the Northern Apprenticeship Co-op Training Initiative, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/tce/apprent/coop.
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