Friday, the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, announced support to build a more robust and inclusive skilled trades workforce by helping employers recruit Aboriginal apprentices in key industries, including trucking, mining and rail.

Under the Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE) program, the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum will receive $210,000 for a project that will strengthen partnerships between employers and Aboriginal groups and create sector-specific strategies and best practices for increasing the representation of Aboriginal peoples in the skilled trades workforce.

Through the creation of industry-tailored strategies and partnerships, the WORBE program is providing up to $500,000 annually for projects that improve the representation of persons with disabilities, women, Aboriginal peoples and members of visible minority groups in federally regulated workplaces.

The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum will also receive $229,645 in Government of Canada funding through Status of Women Canada for a 36-month project to increase opportunities in apprenticeship programs in skilled trades for Aboriginal, rural and immigrant women living in northern and rural/remote areas.

Through this project, an online network will be developed to review employers’ hiring practices, develop tools and best practices for recruiting and retaining women apprentices in skilled trades and create a pool of employers wishing to sponsor women apprentices across Canada.

President of Northern College, and the Timmins Economic Development Corporation Fred Gibbons says this latest initiative by the federal government should be applauded.

“Our Government believes that an inclusive workforce that respects and reflects the diversity of Canada’s population will contribute to a stronger Canadian economy,” added Leitch, “That’s why we’re pleased to provide funding that will help employers in key industries attract and retain Aboriginal apprentices learning a skilled trade.”