Nunavut Arctic College

“Our government’s top priority is jobs and economic growth. In a constantly evolving labour market, it’s important that Canadians get the skills and training they need to succeed,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “This is why we work with partners, such as the Nunavut Fisheries Training Consortium, to ensure Inuit and other Aboriginal Canadians are able to take full advantage of economic opportunities.”

Nunavut Fisheries Training Consortium’s Pre-Training to Increased Inuit Participation project will help 120 Inuit increase their skills in Nunavut's fishing industry and, in turn, this will increase their job opportunities and ability to attain higher level positions.

“We are pleased to have been approved for funding through the Skills and Partnership Fund,” said Elisabeth Cayen, Executive Director of the Nunavut Fisheries Training Consortium. “We have had success in the past and we look forward to increasing our success through a pre-training program which will assist Inuit who are exploring the fishing industry as a career option and advance the careers of those Inuit currently in the industry.”

This project is also receiving support from the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Environment, the Hunters and Trappers Organization, the Nunavut Arctic College, Industry Partners and the Kakivak Association.

The Fund is part of the Government’s approach to help First Nations, Métis and Inuit get training and work experience to secure sustainable, meaningful employment. It is intended to encourage innovation in Aboriginal training-to-employment products and service delivery.

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This news release is available in alternative formats on request.

For further information (media only):

Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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Backgrounder

Launched in July 2010, the Skills and Partnership Fund encourages Aboriginal organizations to create partnerships with government, business and community organizations that drive change, improve skills training and create opportunities for Aboriginal people.

The Government of Canada is investing $210 million over five years in this partnership-based, opportunity-driven fund. The Fund supports projects that encourage innovation, test new approaches and address systemic gaps in the delivery of employment services for Aboriginal Canadians to ensure this growing population can fully share in economic opportunities. All Aboriginal organizations are eligible to apply for funding under the program.

The Skills and Partnership Fund builds on the success of earlier Aboriginal employment programs. It responds to the changing needs and priorities of the labour market while providing opportunities for Aboriginal people to fully participate in Canada’s economy.

The Government of Canada also supports the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy, which is an integrated approach to Aboriginal labour market programming that links training to labour market demand. The Strategy supports more than 80 Aboriginal organizations in the delivery of programs and services to increase Aboriginal participation in the Canadian labour market. It focuses on three strategic priorities: supporting skills development; fostering partnerships with the private sector and the provinces and territories; and accountability and results. The program was launched in April 2010 with funding of $1.6 billion over five years.