Government of Canada announces Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program
October 3, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
03-72
OTTAWA, ONTARIO AND INUVIK, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES -The Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development, and the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Secretary of State (Children and Youth), today announced the start up of the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program. The submission deadline for ASEP proposals seeking funding in this fiscal year is November 21, 2003.
Treasury Board approved a funding total for ASEP of $85 million over the next five years. As a partnership initiative involving Aboriginal groups, major corporate employers, and provincial and territorial governments, ASEP is aimed at securing and increasing Aboriginal participation in large economic developments in and near their communities. ASEP's overall objective is sustainable employment for Aboriginal people in major economic initiatives, leading to lasting benefits for Aboriginal communities, families and individuals.
ASEP will complement the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy, which has been in place since 1999.
In making the announcement, Minister Stewart expressed satisfaction that ASEP offers a collaborative partnership approach to investing in the economic and social well-being of Aboriginal communities in a way that respects Aboriginal cultures and contributes fully to Canada's future.
"Canada's continuing economic and social strength depends on the skills and knowledge of every Canadian," said Minister Stewart. "The Skills and Learning agenda recognizes the reality that Aboriginal people continue to face real challenges in getting and keeping good jobs. ASEP will help change that reality significantly."
"This is an historic opportunity," said Secretary of State Blondin-Andrew. "Better training means better jobs, and better jobs mean a better future. But not only will this program benefit Aboriginal people, it will also help Canadian businesses in need of skilled workers."
ASEP funding will help finance Aboriginal training-to-retention plans for major economic developments and resource-based projects. Such plans will cover a broad continuum ranging from basic skills, literacy and academic upgrading, through job-specific training and apprenticeships, to retention counselling and other on-the-job supports. As many as 1,000 jobs for Aboriginal people could result within the first few years of ASEP's operation and that number could surpass 7,000 over five years.
ASEP proposals may be sent to the following address:
Ken Donnelly
Assistant Director, Aboriginal Relations Office
Human Resources Development Canada
Aboriginal Relations Office/ASEP
140 Promenade du Portage
Phase IV, 5th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0J9
They may also be sent via e-mail: Autochtone-aboriginal@hrdc-drhc.gc.ca
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See attached backgrounder for more information.
For more information :
Andrew Graham
Press Secretary
Minister Stewart's office
(819) 953-2353
Media Relations Office
Human Resources Development Canada
(819) 994-5559
BACKGROUNDER
ABORIGINAL SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT PARTNERSHIP (ASEP)
BASIC FEATURES
The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program is a five-year initiative with total funding of $85 million. It is designed to promote maximum employment for Aboriginal people on major economic developments across Canada, and to provide lasting benefits for Aboriginal communities, families and individuals. The entire initiative is geared to providing Aboriginal people with the skills they need to participate in economic opportunities such as northern mining, oil and gas, and hydro development projects across Canada.
Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) will administer ASEP nationally in conjunction with HRDC's regional offices. As an opportunity-driven program, ASEP will operate on a collaborative partnership basis. Significant funding is expected from the private sector, Aboriginal groups, and the province or territory where the large economic or resource-based project is located. These parties will comprise the partnership consortium. Other key partners will include learning institutions, sector councils, labour, and other Government of Canada departments and agencies.
While the scale of ASEP proposals is expected to be beyond the capacity and resources of agreement holders under the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy, ASEP will complement that strategy and will rely on the involvement of agreement holders in ASEP's broad-based partnership consortiums.
An ASEP funding proposal submitted by a partnership consortium must set out a comprehensive training-to-employment plan for Aboriginal people that links skills development to specific job opportunities for them. The partners will share the cost of implementing the proposal. The Government of Canada's normal contribution to a project, including HRDC's contribution, will not exceed 75 percent.
In light of current skill levels, many Aboriginal employment opportunities on large economic development or resource-based projects will initially be in entry level and semi-skilled jobs. However, the training-to-employment plan will be expected to provide for continuous skill development and the potential for advancement within the project. Incorporated organizations applying for ASEP funding must show that they can provide a minimum of 50 long-term jobs for Aboriginal people.
Over time, ASEP will help large employers meet labour and skill shortages by tapping into the potential of the Aboriginal work force, which is one of the fastest growing segments of Canada's labour force in several regions of the country.