(Brantford) – The Government of Canada is investing $1,780,000 into a Brantford company in order to equip Canada’s aboriginal people with the skills necessary to meet the demands of an emerging labour market need. The federal funding was announced today by Phil McColeman, Member of Parliament for Brant, at the grand opening of Pipe Dreams Brantford Inc.

Pipe Dreams Brantford Inc. is partnering with UA Local 67 and the Niagara Peninsula Aboriginal Area Management Board (NPAAMB) to implement a Training-to-Employment Plan that will prepare Aboriginal people for long-term employment and address the shortage of highly skilled welders, apprentices and upgraded journeymen within southern Ontario’s, welding, plumbing and pipefitting sector. 
“Skilled trades are in demand,” said Mr. McColeman. “Through this program, our Government is helping Canada’s aboriginal people meet the emerging employment demands of Canada’s 21st century labour market.”

“This 13-week Pre-Apprenticeship Welding program can be a new beginning for many of our Aboriginal people,” said Cathy General, Executive Director of Pipe Dreams Brantford Inc. “It can lead to a rewarding career that will be beneficial to them and their families.”
Funding for the program is through Human Resources and Development Canada’s Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program. ASEP is a nationally managed, opportunity-driven, and project-based program that promotes increased participation of Aboriginal people in major economic developments. It achieves this through a collaborative approach of Aboriginal, private-sector, and provincial/territorial partnerships. The program supports multi-year training strategies developed by Aboriginal organizations and industry employers, leading to long-term skilled jobs for Aboriginal people in existing and emerging economic opportunities.

As announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government is investing an additional $100 million over three years in ASEP to help Aboriginal people participate in the work force and get the training they need to make the most of employment opportunities. By creating partnerships, the Government of Canada is taking action to ensure that Canada's work force is the best educated, most skilled, and most flexible in the world.

For more information on ASEP, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca and to learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.