Stronach announces $2 million for four new sector councils
The food, policing, volunteer/non-profit and printing sectors got a boost from the federal government last week with the announcement of the creation of four new sector councils.
The federal government pledged $2 million to develop the new councils that will bring together business, labour and educational leaders to identify and address common human resources and skills issues.
“Investing in the skills of Canadians is key to our continued success in the global economy,” said Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Belinda Stronach. “Sector councils have been instrumental in addressing skills issues by ensuring that workers already employed and those seeking employment are well prepared for the challenges of the rapidly evolving labour market.”
Each of the new sector councils — the Police Sector Council, the Canadian Food Industry Council, the Canadian Printing Industries Association and the HR Council for the Voluntary/Non-profit Sector — has its own unique sets of challenges.
The Sector Council Program makes it possible for each sector to be responsive to particular needs and to tailor its approaches to reflect the context in which its employees work, said Lynne Toupin the executive director of the HR Council for the Voluntary/Non-profit Sector.
There are currently 30 sector council representing traditional industries, such as mining and textiles, as well as emerging industries, such as biotechnology and the environment.
Earlier last month Stronach announced a $3.7 million investment in the existing wood manufacturing, mining, seafood and environment sector councils.
The funding will address skill shortage issues and help the sectors attract and retain a new generation of skilled workers.
