NACC Calls on Government to Ensure Success of the Canada Job Grant
The National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) has called on all levels of government to work together to ensure that the Canada Job Grant is successfully created and implemented in order to help employers, as well as unemployed and underemployed Canadians.
Earlier this year, the federal government announced over $500 million in funding for the initiative, which aims to get workers the training and education they need to meet the growing demand for skilled trade workers.
“The Canada Job Grant will be a crucial tool to link employers and Canadians seeking meaningful work opportunities,” says Serge Buy, NACC’s Chief Executive Officer. “We call on federal, provincial and territorial governments to work together to help implement this innovative program, one that truly benefits workers and employers and helps to close the skills gap in Canada.”
The NACC is the oldest post-secondary association in Canada and represents almost 500 career colleges across the country. It advocates for the recognition and support of the type of short-term training provided in career colleges. In April of this year, NACC announced the Canadian Forum Linking Employers and Educators (CFLEE), an initiative that has been designed to promote partnerships between employers and educators, possibly using the Canada Job Grant.
Since the creation of CFLEE was announced, several companies of all sizes have indicated interest in this type of partnership.
“While we understand and respect that all governments have their own agendas, priorities and decision-making process,” says Buy, “we view this initiative as a groundbreaking one that can address one of Canada’s important problems: the skills gap.”
Other organizations that have come out in strong support of the Canada Job Grant include the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA), Canada Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), the Canadian Welding Bureau, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
“The skills problem leads our Top Ten list of critical barriers to Canada’s competitiveness,” says Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “It’s showing up all across the country, in every industry. We are pleased to see the government is moving to confront it, and to include business directly in the solutions.”
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