New labour training agreements have great potential

The new federal-provincial labour and training agreements signed earlier this month have great potential for Hants County and the province. But let’s know what we need of such programs and see to it they are properly conducted and funded.

The move is part of the Conservative federal government’s realization that this country is diverse and has different requirements. One size doesn’t fit all.

At one time, federal governments afforded unique and flexible programs to only one province. Now we all can enjoy and make the most use of such an arrangement.

In Halifax June 13, Nova Scotia Labour and Workforce Development Minister Mark Parent and federal Human Resources Minister Monte Solberg signed two agreements totalling a half-billion dollars in which the province will take over a number of training and skills development programs currently provided by the federal level.

The $85 million over six years Labour Market Agreement will help Nova Scotia workers upgrade skills in such sectors and construction, information technology, environmental trade and health care – all currently in the forefront of our economy -- in order to find good jobs.

Candidates will include people often excluded from previous programs – aboriginals, immigrants, the disabled, and parents returning to the workforce.

The second accord, the Labour Market Development Agreement involves $81 million annually, with which the province has to design and deliver Employment Insurance-funded employment benefits and support programs, meeting the requirements of both clients and employers.

Parent told The Hants Journal following signing the documents that the agreements allow the province more flexibility to tackle specific needs. This includes designing and providing training and employment programs as they are particularly needed in a rural economy such as Nova Scotia’s.

This means that Hants County’s and other rural economies’ needs can be focused upon and dealt with more efficiently. As well, the local non-profit agencies assisting with training and employment are seen as being effective and efficient and will be kept on board.

Some federal civil servants involved in the current programs being assumed by the province will go into provincial service.

Both levels of government see that developing a strong work force involves a team effort among government, business, schools and non-profit community-based groups.

In fact, we have seen successful quick reaction and proactive measures to meet rapidly changing labour needs with the enhanced and expanded community college system during the recent governments of Dr. John Hamm.

The matter is, however, we as a society and economy have to know what we need and how go about obtaining it. If not, such deals -- whether in labour or anything else -- can quickly atrophy and even fall part. This would be a loss to those it should help – all of us, in one way or another.

And that’s not saying anything about the stealth required to ensure continued effective funding assistance from the federal level.