Feds offer funding for manufacturing skills development

The federal government is funding a new project to promote essential skills development in the manufacturing workplace.

The announcement was made by Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche, on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity,” said Valcourt. “That’s why our government makes strategic investments in organizations such as the Community Business Development Corporation Restigouche: to ensure more Canadians have the essential skills required to succeed in today’s economy.”

The Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) Restigouche will get more than $1.9 million from the federal Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program.

The CBDC’s research project will examine how investments in literacy and essential skills enhance the performance of small and medium-size businesses in the manufacturing sector. As a result of this research project, a tool will be made available to employers to help them assess how investments in literacy and essential skills training can enhance their business performance.

“We are very thankful for the Government of Canada’s support and investment in our organization,” said Michel Guitard, executive director of the CBDC Restigouche. “This research project will help create partnerships between our organization and organizations in 10 provinces. This will allow the recruitment of 40 small and medium-size enterprises and close to 4 000 employees who will be participating in the research.”