(Dreamstime)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Ottawa announces $185-million to help Albertans re-enter the workforce

Dec 16, 2020 | 3:01 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The federal government is giving support to Albertans to help them develop the skills needed to find jobs.

Federal Minister of Employment and Workforce Development Carla Qualtrough announced that Ottawa is investing $185-million into the province.

“Working with the Government of Alberta, the Government of Canada is getting Alberta’s workers the training they need to get good jobs as our country cautiously recovers from the impacts of COVID-19,” says Qualtrough. “Now more than ever, we need to strengthen workers’ futures and help them succeed as our economy recovers and evolves.”

This is part of a total of $1.5-billion announced for provinces and territories through new Workforce Development Agreements (WDA).

Funding can be used for:

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• Skills training
• On-the-job training
• Employer-sponsored training
• Financial assistance and benefits
• Employment counselling and services
• Job opportunities

In November, Stats Canada reported an 11.1 per cent unemployment rate in Alberta with the province losing 10,800 jobs. For the Lethbridge-Medicine Hat region, it was 9.6 per cent.

“As we begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we must ensure that Albertans have the skills and training necessary to support our economy and help bring our province back to prosperity,” adds provincial Minister of Labour and Immigration Jason Copping. “This additional support from the Government of Canada is critical to help Albertans get back to work today in jobs that will help us build a stronger tomorrow.”

Nationally, total spending on programs for persons with disabilities through the WDAs will increase by $425-million.