News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

October 13, 2016

Province Releases Results of Labour Market and Skills Training Consultations

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Flexible Programs, Improved Co-ordination Identified as Priorities: Wishart

A new report released today summarizing feedback from summer consultations on employment and skills training will be used to improve labour market programming and inform future investments, Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart announced today, in advance of the Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM) meeting in Quebec City.

“We are very encouraged by the overwhelming participation in these consultations from a broad cross section of sectors and regions,” said Wishart, who hosted the Manitoba roundtables.  “Many of the themes that emerged are consistent with priorities we have established for education and training, such as youth, job creation and economic development in the north.”

The What We Heard Summary Report consolidates feedback from online submissions as well as four roundtables held in Winnipeg, Thompson, Portage la Prairie and Brandon in July and August. 

Other priorities identified by participants included:

  • the need to prioritize investments in essential skills training and overall supports for Indigenous and northern communities;
  • recognition of the unique needs of diverse populations, such as women, caregivers, older workers, youth, people with disabilities and newcomers; and
  • the need for timely, reliable, comprehensive and easily accessible labour market information.

The consultations followed a commitment of federal, provincial and territorial labour market ministers to work together to examine key opportunities and challenges facing the Canadian workforce.  More than 175 stakeholders participated and the sessions were supported by local Chambers of Commerce chapters.
 
The minister noted the depth and quality of feedback received and reinforced the importance of federal and provincial investments in Manitoba’s labour market and economy as a whole.

“Our goal is to be the most improved province in Canada,” said Wishart.  “This includes ensuring our employment and skills training programs best meet the needs of all Manitobans.”

Manitoba has co-led the national planning and design of the consultations with Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador.  In conjunction with Manitoba’s report, the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Consultations on the Labour Market Transfer Agreements – What We Heard Summary Report will be released by the FLMM at tomorrow’s meeting in Quebec City.

The report can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/wd/pubs/manitoba_what_we_heard_summary_report.pdf.

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