July 25, 2016
Manitoba Announces Discussions on Labour Market Transfer Agreements
– – –Four Roundtables to Help Make Programs More Responsive to the Needs of Manitobans: Wishart
The province will be hosting four roundtables to help ensure federal workforce development funding transfers, valued at almost $3 billion, are flexible and responsive to new and emerging labour markets, Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart announced today.
“We want to hear from a diverse group of organizations to ensure programs meet the needs of emerging labour markets in our province and across Canada,” said Wishart. “Each region has unique aspects within its labour market and these roundtables will ensure Manitoba has a strong voice in the design and execution of programs moving forward.”
Today’s announcement follows a commitment of federal, provincial and territorial ministers to work together in examining key opportunities and challenges facing the Canadian workforce. Manitoba’s new government will gather input from a broad range of stakeholders on employment and skills training programs and services, the minister noted.
Wishart will host four roundtables this summer at the following locations:
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Winnipeg – July 25, Golden Boy Dining Room (Room 50), lower level, Legislative Building, from
1 to 3 p.m.; - Thompson – Aug. 8, Best Western Hotel and Suites,205 Mystery Lake Rd.;
- Portage la Prairie – Aug. 11, Portage Credit Union Centre, 245 Royal Rd. South (on the island); and
- Brandon – Aug. 15, Assiniboine Community College, 1430 Victoria Ave. East.
“One of the biggest challenges that Manitoba business owners are constantly dealing with is the issue of finding skilled workers,” said Chuck Davidson, president and CEO, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “Ensuring we have good labour market information and programs that will address those needs is critical.”
“This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of workforce support programs for all Manitobans,” said Wishart. “We look forward to hearing the perspectives of industry and training partners as well as organizations representing Indigenous peoples, new Canadians, labour, youth, older workers and official language minority communities.”
Manitoba has been co-leading the planning and design of the consultations with Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador. The province will present the results of its consultations to the Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM) at its next meeting planned to take place in Quebec in October.
The minister noted four agreements govern programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories, and will be part of the roundtable consultations:
- Labour Market Development Agreements – help unemployed Canadians find and return to work and develop a skilled labour force that meets current and emerging labour market needs;
- Canada Job Fund Agreements – support programs and services to access training and supports to participate in the labour market;
- Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities – support programs and services to improve the employment situation of Canadians with disabilities; and
- Targeted Initiative for Older Workers – helps unemployed older workers living in small, vulnerable communities of 250,000 or less by providing them with the skills and training they need to improve their employability.
The discussion paper Federal/Provincial/Territorial Consultations on Labour Market Transfer Agreements can be downloaded at www.flmm-fmmt.ca/CMFiles/2_3_Discussion_Paper_LMTA_EN%20_final.pdf.
The deadline for responses is Aug. 19 and comments can be sent to labourmarketconsultations@gov.mb.caor Manitoba Education and Training, Room 405-800 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3G 0N4.
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