The Workforce Development Secretariat is a policy and research-focused office mandated to support the Department and other government departments, employers, industry, employer and business groups, unions and post-secondary and training institutions in understanding and planning for current and future labour market supply and demand requirements throughout the province. The Secretariat will focus on linking industrial development and employment opportunities, recruitment and training of skilled workers, and advancement of industry expansion to support existing enterprises. The Workforce Development Secretariat operates as a central agency for labour market issues in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. More specifically, the Secretariat provides:

• Expert advice to government executive, ministers and the Premier to inform Government-wide labour market policy, programs, strategy and decision-making;
• Research on current and future skills, and workforce development needs;
• Outreach and collaboration with employers, industry associations, labour organizations, educational institutions, training providers and community groups;
• Engagement with industry in key sectors and regions;
• Labour market information and services for individuals, employers, community groups and other key stakeholder groups;
• Provides information and develops policies, strategies and initiatives that support labour mobility (e.g., the Canadian Free Trade Agreement).
• Forums for collaboration on workforce development issues; and
• The development of strategies and policies to foster enhanced productivity, innovation and skills development in meeting labour market challenges.

The Workforce Development Secretariat is comprised of three units – the Skills and Training Policy Unit, the Strategic Initiatives Unit, and the Skills and Labour Market Research unit.

The Skills and Training Policy Unit is responsible for providing advice and support to all Government of Newfoundland and Labrador departments and agencies on workforce development and labour market policy, and for supporting the province’s intergovernmental workforce development priorities.

The Strategic Initiatives Unit is responsible for liaising with employers and other key stakeholders on labour market issues and identifying opportunities to work with stakeholders on shared labour market priorities.

The Skills and Labour Market Research Unit is responsible for the analysis, development, dissemination and delivery of labour market information and services for individuals, employers, community groups and other key stakeholder groups. . The unit is also responsible for providing information, and stimulating the development of policies, strategies and initiatives that support labour mobility as well as labour elements associated with various trade agreements (including the pending United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement).

The Units share responsibility for conducting research on workforce development best practices and implementing targeted initiatives to address workforce development issues in the province, including the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Human Resource Plan.

The main activities of the Secretariat include:

• Research and analysis on workforce development and productivity best practices to support all lines of business in the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills;
• Providing labour market advice and support to Government of Newfoundland and Labrador departments and agencies;
• Liaising with key external stakeholders on workforce development matters;
• Undertaking targeted workforce development and productivity initiatives, including the provincial Workforce Development Strategy; and
• Monitoring other jurisdictions and their actions related to workforce development.
• Collects, analyzes and disseminates labour market information
• Establishes partnerships with other stakeholders including federal government departments, provincial government departments, industry, training institutions, labour groups, and special interest groups to address skills and labour market information needs

Clients

Clients include:

• Cabinet
• Executive in the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
• Other Government of Newfoundland and Labrador departments and agencies
• Employers
• Industry, employer and business groups
• Unions
• Post-secondary and training institutions
• Community agencies
• Other stakeholders
• Other governments
• Students and youth
• Job seekers and workers
• Career practitioners and guidance counselors
• Researchers and policy analysts

Contact

Workforce Development Secretariat