Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Improving skills for living and working is one of the ways the Government of the Northwest Territories is working to maximize opportunities for our residents and pursue the Legislative Assembly’s goal of a diversified economy. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment makes significant investments in skills training and employment development to ensure that northern residents can meet the demand of northern employers.
The Northwest Territories Labour Force Development Framework -- People, Partnerships, Possibilities -- is the result of northern partners coming together to find common ground to ensure our people and our economy are strong now and in the future. The framework is the territory’s new tool for working together towards improved labour market outcomes.
Although our labour market conditions remain fairly strong during the global recession, there were a number of challenges ensuring employment opportunities were available for Northerners. Much has happened over the past four years to overcome these challenges:
enhancement of the Northwest Territories Literacy Strategy, especially in the areas of youth and labour market literacy;
strengthened apprenticeship programs including supports to women and Aboriginal
people to successfully complete trades programs;
Aurora College expanded community-based delivery of programs in areas such as teacher education, labour market and industrial training and student wellness;
a new NWT Nominee Program to support employers in meeting skills gaps; and
targeted supports for community and economic development in our rural and remote communities.
Mr. Speaker, on May 25 and May 26, 2011, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment will host a labour force symposium for key NWT stakeholders. At the symposium, ECE will launch a new Labour Force Development Framework and stakeholders will have the opportunity to:
share labour market information linked to programs, services and supports;
highlight the connection between skills development and regional economic development activities and projects; and
discuss potential structures for, and functions of, a territorial coordinating body to champion the new framework.
Mr. Speaker, all levels of government must continue to invest in and support this framework so we can achieve the shared vision. Together we can build a productive future for our people, our communities and our economy. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.
