TORONTO, Ontario – The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, today announced another component of the Skills for Employment initiative that will help the Caribbean region build a skilled workforce necessary for economic growth.
“In developing countries, for those living in poverty to succeed, basic education is only the first step. They also need training, skills and a chance for meaningful employment to live productive lives,” said Minister Oda. “A skilled workforce will strengthen the foundation of businesses and industries as well as improve the community’s social stability. Canada, and institutions such as George Brown College, has the tools to provide the necessary know-how and help to develop a qualified workforce in developing countries around the world. That’s what the Skills for Employment initiative aims to do.”
The Caribbean region component of the Skills for Employment initiative consists of an investment of approximately $40 million in projects. This funding is part of an overall new investment of $95 million to support vocational and technical training projects in Africa, Asia and the Americas. It is in addition to the $140 million annual average that CIDA already invests in vocational training. The new investments will support the key priorities as identified by leaders and industry representatives in the Caribbean region. The skills training provided under this initiative will help women, men and youth gain the skills they need to participate in, and contribute to, the economic and social development of their own communities.
“There is a need in the Caribbean to improve the competitive skills of the region’s human resources base in order to support economic development. Canadian experts are sharing their knowledge with colleges in the Caribbean to help address current employment and education concerns.
Canadian colleges and institutes will support colleges in the Caribbean to develop their capacity and better align skills training to the rapidly-changing employment, social and economic realities”, said James Knight, President and CEO of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC). The ACCC represents 152 Canadian community colleges, institutes of technology, vocational training institutes, CEGEPs and university colleges across Canada.
The Caribbean region component of the Skills for Employment initiative is a key element of the Government of Canada’s engagement in the Americas.
