News Article

College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Corner Brook campus is one of seven locations across the province tasked with training individuals through the new Sector Skills program.

The $1.5 million program, funded from the federal-provincial Labour Market Agreement, will provide training and work experience to individuals to meet the province’s growing labour demand in a variety of sectors.
 
Corner Brook campus administrator Chad Simms says the 12-week program will provide a combination of necessary in-class training and desirable on-the-job experience.
 
“The sector skills training program is an excellent example of how CNA is at the forefront when it comes to working with our communities to help break down the barriers to employment for many of our citizens,” said Simms.
 
“This partnership with government and local employers will certainly create a tremendous opportunity for those who need assistance gaining employment, and will provide them with the start they may need to continue working or with pursuing further training. At the same time, this partnership will provide industry with potential employees that will already have the basic occupational skills and safety training they require to fill vacant positions.”
 
In addition to Corner Brook, the program will be offered in St. John’s, Carbonear, Clarenville, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor and Stephenville. Participants will receive training and work experience in such sectors as retail sales, food services and building maintenance.

Matthew Connolly, president of the Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade, says businesses in the city greatly need trained workers in these sectors.
 
“I think it is a really good program and we have a lot of placements we can use people in,” Connelly said.  “There are a variety of businesses in Corner Brook that have a hard time finding trained people they can hang on to so this is a great opportunity. Having experience in a work environment where there is a chance to retain those skills is important.”
 
Connelly says he supports the program not only from the Board of Trade standpoint, but also as a small business owner.
 
“I think this is fantastic because there are a lot of businesses like mine and we can’t find people to do what we need, but if you train them in that environment (through this program), it’s absolutely perfect. That way you know exactly what you’re getting.”
 
The Department of Advanced Education and Skills is now selecting candidates for the Sector Skills program who will then be assessed by the training provider. To be eligible, a person must be a permanent resident of Newfoundland and Labrador, be currently in receipt of Income Support or assessed as having a barrier to employment, and have completed Grade 9 education or equivalent, and/or have not completed any formal post-secondary education within the past five years.
 
“The Provincial Government is committed to working with College of the North Atlantic through this program, which will help industry train women and men to meet workforce demands in growing sectors,” said the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills. “We also recognize the value of job experience in the hiring process and think this partnership with CNA will help individuals improve employment prospects.”
 
For further information on the Sector Skills training program and additional services provided by the Department of Advanced Education and Skills, visit www.aes.gov.nl.ca, call toll-free at 1-800-563-6600 or TTY: 1-866-729-4685, or visit the nearest employment centre: www.aes.gov.nl.ca/career/cwc.html. 


For information on College of the North Atlantic and its programs and services, visit www.cna.nl.ca.
 
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Media Contact:
 
Glenda McCarthy
Public Relations Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709.643.6408
glenda.mccarthy@cna.nl.ca