Archived News Releases

October 1, 2004

Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin and Advanced Education and Training Minister Diane McGifford today announced joint funding for the Manitoba Customer Contact Association (MCCA) to promote employment opportunities for Aboriginal people within the industry.

"Our government is committed to improving Aboriginal employment opportunities," said Lathlin. "The implementation of the MCCA Aboriginal Workforce Strategy will build strong ties between the association and the Aboriginal community."

The Aboriginal Representative Workforce Strategy is a joint initiative of the Manitoba Customer Contact Association, Manitoba Advanced Education and Training, and Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs. The purpose of the strategy is to fill vacant positions in the industry through the integration of Aboriginal people, resulting in a labour pool more representative of Manitoba's population.

This strategy identifies methods and practices to assist contact centres in the areas of recruitment, training and job retention for Aboriginal staff. It is also intended to act as a tool for increasing diversity in the workplace while maintaining the highest of standards within the industry.

"Education and training initiatives must ensure all Manitobans have the skills they need to meet workforce demands," said McGifford. "The Aboriginal Representative Workforce Strategy is an important step to creating a more diversified workforce in the contact centre industry."

This cost-shared project includes $35,000 in funding from Manitoba Advanced Education and Training, $25,000 from Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs and $191,250 of in-kind and cash support from the Manitoba Customer Contact Association.

The Aboriginal community is the youngest and fastest growing segment of Manitoba's population. Projections indicate that one out of every four people entering the Winnipeg workforce will be of Aboriginal descent by 2015.

Customer contact centres in Manitoba are responsible for annual salaries in excess of $242 million and employ more than 10,400 people.

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