OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 04/06/09 -- The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians, announced a multi-year (2009-2012) request for proposals for projects geared to providing Aboriginal people with the skills they need to participate in today's labour market. Minister Strahl made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

"Our government is creating, through Canada's Economic Action Plan, more and better opportunities for Aboriginal Canadians with increased investments in Aboriginal skills and employment programs," said Minister Strahl. "The Economic Action Plan includes $100 million over three years for the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program. This investment will support up to 25 new projects, which could result in up to 6,000 jobs for Aboriginal people across the country."

The objective of the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program is sustainable employment for Aboriginal people in major economic industries, leading to lasting benefits for Aboriginal communities, families and individuals. The program is geared to providing Aboriginal people with the skills they need to participate in economic opportunities, such as mining, construction, fisheries, tourism, hydro development and public infrastructure projects across Canada.

The 2009 Request for Proposals seeks proposals from existing or potential partnerships. These partnerships consist of, at a minimum, Aboriginal organizations and one or more major employer interested in obtaining funding for a comprehensive Aboriginal Training and Employment Plan tied to a major economic development opportunity.

Each proposal will require a comprehensive multi-year Aboriginal training-to-employment plan linking skills development to specific job opportunities on economic developments that will employ many people.

The training-to-employment plan can cover a broad continuum ranging from basic skills, literacy, academic upgrading, job-specific training and apprenticeships, to retention counselling and other supports while on the job. As part of the plan, the major employer must guarantee a minimum of 50 long-term jobs for Aboriginal people by the completion of the project.

Proposals will be accepted until May 15, 2009.

To learn more about the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program and the Request for Proposals, visit http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/employment/aboriginal_training/index.shtml.

BACKGROUNDER

Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership program

Launched in 2003, the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program is designed to maximize training and job opportunities in major economic development projects across Canada. It does this by meeting employers' needs and labour market demands for skilled workers.

ASEP's ultimate success is contingent on the strong partnership forged between Aboriginal groups, the private sector, federal, provincial and/or territorial governments, labour, and educational institutions. Since the program's inception, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada has successfully delivered programming with over 90 partners in 26 projects across Canada.

How does ASEP work?

ASEP supports multi-year training-to-employment strategies that are developed and managed by formal partnerships between Aboriginal organizations and major employers, and that lead to at least 50 long-term sustainable jobs.

ASEP supports Aboriginal-industry partnerships established to deliver large-scale, job-specific training that responds to employer demand for skilled workers, which complements the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy, a community-based strategy that supports Aboriginal organizations to design and deliver labour market training to Aboriginal people. Proposals for ASEP funding are submitted through a Request for Proposals process. Projects are reviewed and ranked against clearly defined criteria, and are selected based on merit and the strength of the business case presented.

Who is eligible?

Proposals are sought from existing or potential partnerships consisting of, at a minimum, Aboriginal organizations and one or more major employer interested in obtaining time-limited contribution funding for a comprehensive Aboriginal training-to-employment plan tied to a major economic development opportunity. Other members of the partnership may include provincial and territorial governments, educational institutions and others, as appropriate.

Funding levels vary from project to project, and are negotiated based on anticipated costs and funding commitments from other sources. Projects may start in 2009 and must end by March 31, 2012. The number of projects selected is based upon the availability of funds and the overall quality of the proposals received.

For further information, visit the following Web site: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/employment/aboriginal_training/index.shtml.

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