Edmonton, Alberta – Employment and Social Development Canada

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, along with the Honourable Ric McIver, Alberta Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour, today announced that over $1 million has been committed to train Albertans through the Canada Job Grant initiative, an innovative, employer-driven approach to help Canadians gain the skills and training they need to fill available jobs.

The Canada Job Grant is designed to be flexible enough to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, in all industries and regions. By requiring employers to partner in training investments, the Canada Job Grant will result in skills training that leads to new or better jobs for Albertans.

The Canada Job Grant provides up to $15,000 per person for training costs, such as tuition and training materials (up to $10,000 from the federal government and $5,000 from employers). Interested employers can apply for the Canada Job Grant through the province of Alberta. For more information, visit:www.albertacanada.com/jobgrant.

Quick Facts

• In 2014, employment in Alberta’s services-producing sector grew by 46,000 and in the goods-producing sector by 20,400 from the previous year.
• The manufacturing industry in Alberta grew by 5.9 percent between December 2013 and December 2014.
• In December 2014, Alberta accounted for 26 percent of Canadian full-time employment growth from December 2013.

Quotes

“Our Government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. This important milestone demonstrates that Alberta’s employers are willing to put skin in the game to ensure they have the right workers with the right skills to help their businesses grow. The Canada Job Grant will lead to guaranteed jobs, which is great news for workers and Alberta’s economy.”

– The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development

“ Employers in Alberta are clearly taking advantage of the Canada–Alberta Job Grant and recognize the importance of skills training, for both workers and for business. Our labour market is always changing. What doesn’t change is our commitment to continue to educate and train skilled workers, help under-represented groups participate more fully in our labour market, and all Albertans to grow and succeed in our economy.”

– The Honourable Ric McIver, Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour