May 18, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Government of Canada announces funding for the Northwest Territories Industrial Mining Skills Strategy Project
YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES - The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State (Children and Youth), on behalf of the Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced funding for the Northwest Territories Industrial Mining Skills Strategy Project under the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program that could reach $14.8 million over the next four years. This funding approval clears the way for officials with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) to start negotiating the terms and conditions of a contribution agreement with the partnership consortium to deliver the training and skills development that will lead to long-term careers in the mining industry.
"This project will directly open the door to a wide range of rewarding careers in the mining industry for upwards of 400 Aboriginal people living in the Northwest Territories," explained Minister of State Blondin-Andrew. "Through tailored courses, internships, underground mine training and simulations, these young workers will learn the tricks of the trade."
The Northwest Territories Industrial Mining Skills Strategy was developed to help Aboriginal people to take advantage of the employment opportunities in the mining industry in the Northwest Territories.
The NWT Mine Training Society is the partnership consortium that will be directly responsible for the broad-based training component and consists of the eight following organizations:
Aboriginal Partners:
- Yellowknives Dene First Nation
- Dogrib Treaty 11 Council (Tli Cho Government)
- Lutsel K'e Dene Council
- North Slave Métis Alliance
Territorial Government:
- Government of the Northwest Territories-Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Industry Partners:
- Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.
- De Beers Canada Mining Inc.
- BHP Billiton
The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program is part of the Government of Canada's commitment to working with Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders to provide high quality, culturally relevant education for Aboriginal learners to help them to achieve their educational goals and aspirations. ASEP complements the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy, the five-year initiative that began in 1999 and whose renewal was confirmed in the 2004 Speech from the Throne, and re-affirmed in this year's federal Budget.
ASEP is an $85-million five-year program that provides funds for programs and initiatives aimed at securing and increasing sustainable Aboriginal participation in large economic developments across Canada. ASEP is administered nationally by HRSDC in conjunction with regional offices. Projects approved under ASEP operate on collaborative partnerships with the consortium comprised of parties from the private sector, Aboriginal groups, and the province or territory where the large economic or resource-based project is located. Other key partners include learning institutions, sector councils, labour, and other Government of Canada departments or agencies.
This initiative complies with all departmental administrative rules governing grants and contributions, and provisions of the Financial Administration Act, and is subject to review to ensure compliance with the objectives of the program.
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For more information:
Pierre L. Collin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Minister of State
(819) 953-0928
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
(819) 994-5559
BACKGROUNDER
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES INDUSTRIAL MINING SKILLS STRATEGY PROJECT UNDER THE ABORIGINAL SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT PARTNERSHIP
The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program is a five-year initiative with total funding of $85 million. Its overall objective is sustainable employment for Aboriginal people in major economic initiatives such as northern mining, oil and gas, and hydro development projects across Canada, leading to lasting benefits for Aboriginal communities, families and individuals.
ASEP funding proposals are submitted by a partnership consortium, which can include an Aboriginal group, a province and/or territory, learning institutions, sector councils, labour and other federal departments and agencies. A consortium must set out a comprehensive training-to-employment plan for Aboriginal people that links skills development to specific job opportunities for them. A significant amount of funding for a project is expected from the private sector; the Government of Canada's normal contribution to a proposal will not exceed 75 percent. The private sector must also demonstrate, at minimum, 50 long-term sustainable jobs for Aboriginal people at the completion of funding from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).
As part of the ASEP program, the Northwest Territories Industrial Mining Skills Strategy Project is one of the first approved projects from the proposals currently under review since the launch of ASEP in October 2003.
Northwest Territories Industrial Mining Skills Strategy Project
The diamond mining industry has become an important engine of growth in the Northwest Territories (NWT) with a significant contribution to the Canadian economy. Over the next 20 years, the diamond industry in the NWT will generate an estimated 1,500 jobs across the territory. The Northwest Territories Industrial Mining Skills Strategy will ensure that Aboriginal people take full advantage of the employment opportunities in the mining industry in the NWT.
Activities:
The Northwest Territories Industrial Mining Skills Strategy was developed to help Aboriginal people to take advantage of the employment opportunities in the mining industry in the Northwest Territories. The three-tiered strategic approach to skills development involves:
- Education and Awareness - A key component is the Stay-In-School project, which reinforces to students that formal education is the best way to access careers in the mining industry. This project includes the development and distribution of age-appropriate stay-in-school material. The information is tailored to the elementary, middle and high school levels. The Industrial Mining Skills Strategy partners representing industry, government and Aboriginal groups will visit schools across the Northwest Territories to present and explain the mining industry and opportunities for employment. A School-based Curriculum Project and a scholarship will form part of this component.
- Industrial Skills Development - This is the cornerstone of the Industrial Mining Skills Strategy. It comprises short-term programs for Aboriginal people to access entry-level positions and longer-term programs aimed at increasing the number of skilled and journeyman tradespersons in the mining industry in the North. There will be a prior learning and assessment element and tailored courses in pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, underground mine training, mining technology, mining administration, database, mill operations, camp facilities functions, construction, heavy duty equipment operations and trades assistance.
- Industrial Mining Facilities - This element will help to provide resources to build the first mine training facility in the NWT, complete with skills development equipment such as mining equipment simulators.
Partnerships:
The partnership consortium consists of the following:
Aboriginal Partners:
- Yellowknives Dene First Nation
- Dogrib Treaty 11 Council (Tli Cho Government)
- Lutsel K'e Dene Council
- North Slave Métis Alliance
Territorial Government:
- Government of the Northwest Territories-Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Industry Partners:
- Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.
- De Beers Canada Mining Inc.
- BHP Billiton
Funding:
The total estimated budget for the Industrial Mining Skills Strategy is $39,990,000, of which $14,886,100 is requested from HRSDC under the ASEP program through a contribution agreement. The proposal is expected to result in 380 long-term jobs for Aboriginal people in the mining industry in the NWT.
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