Governments Prepare Aboriginal Students for Manitoba’s Manufacturing Sector

June 20, 2011

Winnipeg, Manitoba - The Governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing $732,400 towards a new facility to train Aboriginal workers for skilled jobs in Manitoba’s manufacturing and transportation industries.  
Funding under the Canada-Manitoba Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA) will be used to establish the Neeginan Industrial Manufacturing and Reprocessing Centre, part of the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD) in Winnipeg.

“This investment will promote valuable training opportunities for Aboriginal youth while ensuring Manitoba’s manufacturing sector has the skilled workers it needs to compete in the global marketplace,” said the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

“There are job openings in the manufacturing industry and Aboriginal youth are looking for those opportunities,” said Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross. “This training centre will help provide our province with a sustainable workforce that will benefit individuals, families and communities.”

This investment will help the centre address skilled labour shortages by providing increased training opportunities in the industrial manufacturing and transportation sectors. This will help increase both sectors’ ability to remain competitive in global markets and support the business community. The centre will also help create sustainable job opportunities for Aboriginal people.

This WEPA funding will assist with expanding an existing CAHRD facility and purchase training equipment that meets current training standards.

“CAHRD is very excited about the expansion of the Neeginan Technical Centre to accommodate our newest opportunity the Industrial Manufacturing and Reprocessing Centre,” says Bill Shead, Vice-Chairperson, CAHRD Board of Directors. “Having state of the art facilities will enhance our ability to train Aboriginal people now and into the future.”

This investment by the Governments of Canada and Manitoba is made through the Canada-Manitoba Western Economic Partnership Agreement.  Both Canada and Manitoba are contributing $25 million each, over four years to strengthen economic activity and improve quality of life in Manitoba communities.