Through four federal-provincial agreements, Islanders are able to gain relevant training and work experience to become contributing members of the Island workforce, says Minister Richard Brown, Workforce and Advanced Learning.
“That’s why today’s labour market consultation was so vital, we wanted to create a space for open dialogue with our stakeholders, to strengthen our labour market programming in Prince Edward Island,” said Minister Brown. “Collaboration will create a more sustainable economy, where all Islanders can reap the benefits and prosper together.”
The consultation was held with approximately 50 stakeholders from across Prince Edward Island, including organizations representing employers, job seekers, service providers, underrepresented groups, and post secondary and training institutions, to share their views on how labour market transfer agreements can better support Canada’s labour market needs and guide future investments in employment and skills training. A variety of topics were covered including the current employment and skills training offerings; the flexibility and awareness of these offerings; and future needs. Feedback from today’s session will be summarized into a report and shared with the Government of Canada as part of the consultation process.
Labour market agreements support the design and delivery of provincial-territorial programs and services that respond to the employment and training needs of all Canadians, including persons with disabilities, older workers, low-skilled workers, youth, underrepresented groups, and employers. The four agreements include the Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA); the Canada Job Fund Agreement (CJFA); the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW); and the Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities (LMAPD). The Department of Workforce and Advanced Learning and the Department of Family and Human Services are responsible for the labour market agreements in PEI.
“While there will be challenges, the discussion held today is important. It will help steer us in the right direction and ensure Islanders have access to relevant training and work experiences to succeed. In turn, we will develop a stronger workforce to help grow our provincial economy,” said Minister Brown.
Consultations are also taking place in provinces and territories across Canada. Online submissions are also accepted. For more information on these consultations, or to submit your feedback, visit www.flmm-fmmt.ca