February 21, 2023 Gatineau, Quebec Employment and Social Development Canada
The construction sector has been hit hard by ongoing skills and labour shortages. The Government of Canada has a plan to support hard-hit sectors, help businesses adapt and thrive, and give Canadians the skills they need to find good jobs as the economy continues to recover.
Today, Sophie Chatel, Member of Parliament for Pontiac, on behalf of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, highlighted that the Government of Canada provided over $2.3 million in funding through the Sectoral Initiatives Program to Decontie Milestone Inc. for the Pathway to Strengthening the Algonquin Anishinabe Workforce project. This project will develop a workforce management database to assist First Nations with their construction-related labour market information. It will establish resources to help employers recruit and retain First Nations workers in the construction sector. It will also support the certification of First Nations workers, while raising awareness among First Nations communities of opportunities within the construction sector.
These investments, made under the Sectoral Initiatives Program, are contributing to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and help organizations adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving labour market. Working in collaboration with organizations, employers, and sectors, the Government of Canada will help equip Canadians with the skills they need, helping them find good jobs and supporting a strong and inclusive economic recovery.
In 2022, the Sectoral Initiatives Program was folded into the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, which has an expanded scope for large-scale projects that offer a broader range of supports to train workers and help employers develop practical and effective solutions.
First announced in Budget 2021, the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program helps key sectors of the economy implement solutions to address their current and emerging workforce needs by funding organizations to deliver projects that focus on a range of industry-driven activities. These activities include training and reskilling workers, helping employers retain and attract a skilled and diverse workforce, and other creative solutions to help sectors address labour market needs. It also supports equity-deserving groups by promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce and providing wraparound supports as needed to those facing barriers to participation.
