The Government of Canada is investing in a partnership that will help 60 Aboriginal people in Manitoba receive information and communications technology training that will lead to long-term jobs, announced Mr. Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, on behalf of the Honourable Mr. Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

The Government of Canada, the University of Winnipeg, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, and private sector information technology organizations will work together on the Manitoba First Nations Information Communications Technologies Training Initiative.

“In today’s environment, it is more important than ever that people have the skills that will enable them to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Mr. Bruinooge. “Through this project, and as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is creating partnerships to help Aboriginal Canadians get good jobs in the information and communications technology industry. This is part of our overall strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world.”

The Manitoba First Nations Information Communications Technologies Training Initiative will receive $2 million from the Government of Canada’s Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program. The partners are contributing an additional $2 million to the project.

“The Information Communications Technologies Training Initiative under HRSDC’s economic stimulus skills and training program is a major breakthrough for Manitoba First Nations,” said Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. “We will be training 60 First Nations people to help build First Nations connectivity across Manitoba, which will improve access to health care, education, business and many other opportunities. We urge our people to consider their future in information and communications technology and help us build the future.”

The ASEP program promotes partnerships between the Government of Canada, other levels of government, local organizations and employers. It provides on-the-job training that leads to long-term jobs in high demand professions, such as mining, hydro development, fisheries, tourism, construction and infrastructure. This is one of 20 projects supported by Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which provided an additional $100 million in funding to ASEP to develop more and better opportunities for Canada’s Aboriginal people.

Also announced in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Aboriginal Skills and Training Strategic Investment Fund is a two-year, $75-million program designed to help Aboriginal Canadians through short-term training initiatives that enable them to benefit from current employment opportunities.

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