Provincial Government Supports the Labrador Office for Indigenous and Northern Skilled Trades

  • Executive Council
  • Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

June 25, 2020

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, today announced approximately $1.45 million in Labour Market Development Agreement funding over three years to establish the Labrador Office for Indigenous and Northern Skilled Trades.

The office will be established in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and led by Trades NL, which will work with the Innu Nation, other Indigenous governments and organizations, and stakeholders to promote the skilled trades as a viable career, mentor individuals through the apprenticeship-journeyperson process, and assist individuals in finding employment opportunities.

During its initial three-year mandate, the Labrador Office for Indigenous and Northern Skilled Trades will endeavour to:

  • Register and case manage Indigenous apprentices;
  • Increase Indigenous representation in construction trades;
  • Increase apprenticeship completion rates of Indigenous people; and,
  • Develop a final evaluation report with recommendations to be submitted to Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The establishment of the Labrador Office for Indigenous and Northern Skilled Trades meets a key commitment in The Way Forward on Workforce Development to increase the future labour supply by supporting the participation of Indigenous peoples along with that of all other Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The plan also delivers on commitments in The Way Forward’s Business Innovation Agenda to strengthen the province’s economic foundation.

Quotes
“Our government and its partners continue to collaborate to realize our shared vision of a strong, sustainable, even more vibrant Labrador. This partnership between TradesNL and Indigenous communities, combined with government’s support, will enhance the ability of everyone in Labrador to take full advantage of all opportunities for economic growth and development.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“We are pleased to partner with and support TradesNL in establishing its new Labrador Office for Indigenous and Northern Skilled Trades. This will support the increased participation of Indigenous people in Newfoundland and Labrador in the skilled trades, complementing the existing efforts of our Government.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

“On behalf of the Innu Nation, I am very pleased that funding has been allocated by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to open the Labrador Office for Indigenous and Northern Skilled Trades in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. For many years, Innu Nation has sought meaningful training and employment opportunities for our members – the opening of this office is a positive step forward for the engagement and education of Innu who wish to become skilled tradespersons. Innu Nation looks forward to working in partnership with Trades NL and appreciates the work to date towards making this educational opportunity a reality for our members.”
Deputy Grand Chief Etienne Rich
Innu Nation

“We are excited with the ongoing relationships we are developing with our Indigenous partners, and this office marks another positive step forward in support of Indigenous skilled trades workers. Working closely with our partners, our office will work to ensure Indigenous skilled trade workers are highly trained, employed, mentored and progress to become industry leaders in a multitude of trades. There are many more opportunities on the horizon, and we are committed to ensuring Indigenous tradespersons are available and qualified to take advantage of these opportunities. Our initial work will commence with Innu Nation members, with a planned approach to include other Indigenous governments and organizations who are willing and interested in partnering with us.”
Darin King
Executive Director, Trades NL

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Media contacts
Jeremy Reynolds
Office of the Premier
709-729-3558
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca

Ryan Crocker
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
709-729-1795, 725-9595
ryancrocker@gov.nl.ca

Corey T. Parsons
Trades NL
709-832-5116
cparsons@tradesnl.com

Donna Paddon
Innu Nation Communications
709-899-5799
donna.paddon@kashkuan.ca

2020 06 25 3:18 pm