Government of Canada announces funding for Construction Sector Council projects

December 10, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
03-103

OTTAWA, ONTARIO-The Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development, today announced Government of Canada funding of $5,682,688 for five projects by the Construction Sector Council (CSC). The Mobility and Accessibility of Operating Engineers Phase II, the Computer-Based Health and Safety Training for Pipeline Construction in Canada Phases II-IV, the Canadian Home Inspectors and Building Officials, the Ironworkers Aboriginal Awareness Campaign, and the Construction Sector Council Infrastructure projects are funded under the Sector Council Program.

"The Government of Canada is committed to developing national standards for the construction sector that will help employers facilitate entry and mobility of new workers," said Minister Stewart. "We are pleased to participate in projects that will help provide a permanent infrastructure to the construction sector to address complex human resources issues over the long term."

The primary goal of the Mobility and Accessibility of Operating Engineers Phase II project is to develop national industry standards that accurately reflect the needs of the industry for approximately 11 sub-groups of Operating Engineer occupations, which will make each sub-occupation more conducive to becoming a Red Seal trade in the future.

The principle objectives of the Computer-Based Health and Safety Training for Pipeline Construction in Canada project (Phases II-IV) are to produce a computer-based training program for health and safety in the gas transmission pipeline construction industry in Canada, and to promote, launch and evaluate it via industry consultation and feedback.

The main objective of the Canadian Home Inspectors and Building Officials project is to facilitate national mobility for building and home inspection professionals through national standards and certification, thereby alleviating skills shortages.

The Ironworkers Aboriginal Awareness Campaign project will develop career awareness materials and mechanisms to support school-to-ironwork transitions and to increase the number of Aboriginal ironworker apprentices and eventually the number of Aboriginal people employed as ironworkers. The Construction Sector Council (CSC) is supporting this project in partnership with the Aboriginal Human Resource Development Council of Canada, and with the collaboration of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers.

A key objective of the Construction Sector Council Infrastructure project is to enable the CSC to continue in its lead role as the national coordinating body for the resolution of human resources issues in the construction industry in Canada.

"Minister Stewart has been instrumental in providing the necessary support and encouragement to the Construction Sector Council enabling it to engage the key players within the Canadian construction industry and its many/varied constituents," said George Gritziotis, Executive Director of the Construction Sector Council. "The CSC's Labour Market Information program is at the heart of the project-specific efforts to address industry issues and will form the basis for future effective and timely human resources development and planning by business and labour across Canada."

The Construction Sector Council was created so that Canada would have the most skilled and professional construction work force in the world. Using a made-in-Canada approach that partners business and labour, the CSC works to meet the human resources challenges facing the industry. The CSC is currently addressing key challenges such as matching projected demand for qualified trades people with future supply, facilitating interprovincial worker mobility, attracting new workers, creating a responsive, flexible apprenticeship system, and establishing an innovative training system to maintain skill currency.

Sector councils are pan-Canadian organizations that bring together representatives from business, labour, education, other professional groups and government to identify and understand industry-wide problems and to implement long-term human resources planning and skills development strategies for their sector. There are currently 27 national sector councils covering approximately 25 percent of Canada's labour market.

The Government of Canada has pledged to work with the provinces, sector councils, labour organizations and learning institutions to create the skills and learning architecture that Canada needs to promote and support workplace learning.

Funding for these projects was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.

These projects have been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's administration of its grant and contribution programs.

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For more information:

Andrew Graham
Press Secretary
Minister Stewart's office
(819) 953-2353

Media Relations Office
Human Resources Development Canada
(819) 994-5559

BACKGROUNDER

Government of Canada funding for Construction Sector Council projects

THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR COUNCIL (CSC)
The Construction Sector Council (CSC) was created in April 2001 so that Canadians would have the most skilled and professional construction work force in the world. Using a made-in-Canada approach that partners business and labour, the CSC works to meet the human resources challenges facing the industry. The Council is currently addressing key challenges such as matching projected demand for qualified tradespeople with future supply, facilitating interprovincial worker mobility, attracting new workers, creating a responsive, flexible apprenticeship system, and establishing an innovative training system to maintain skill currency.

The following table provides a summary of the five projects announced by the Government of Canada, to be implemented by the Construction Sector Council.

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