Toronto, Ontario, November 7, 2013 –

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism, highlighted the need to address skills mismatches and shortages, as well as government efforts to tackle this critical issue at the Electricity Human Resources Canada conference.

“Our government’s top priority is creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity.  That is why we are taking action to fix the paradox of too many Canadians without jobs in an economy that has too many jobs without Canadians,” said Minister Kenney. “Canadais facing skills shortages in the electricity sector and other industries. That is why our government is taking action with the Canada Job Grant which will result in Canadians getting access to training that leads to guaranteed jobs.” 

The two-day conference brings together business leaders and human resource professionals working in the electricity and renewable energy industry. In his speech, Minister Kenney pointed to the looming skills shortages in the electricity industry. According to the Electricity Sector Council’s 2012 report, the industry will need to recruit 45 000 new skilled workers in the next five years.  

“We are currently facing challenges in apprenticeship training: low completion rates, lack of employer participation, inconsistency between provincial and territorial apprenticeship systems, and high apprentice-journeyperson ratios,” said Minister Kenney. “We must act now to reform apprenticeship systems, implement the Canada Job Grant and better integrate labour-market needs into post-secondary education. We also have to improve foreign credential recognition and increase labour mobility so workers can fill jobs anywhere in Canada.”

Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes new measures to equip Canadians with the skills and training they need. These include the Canada Job Grant, creating opportunities for apprentices and providing support to increase the labour market participation of under-represented groups, such as people with disabilities, Aboriginal people, newcomers and youth.  

By:IANS