Minister Lafferty meets with Federal, Provincial and Territorial Labour Market Colleagues

YELLOWKNIFE (November 25, 2014) – Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty met last week in Toronto with his federal, provincial and territorial counterparts at the Forum for Labour Market Ministers (FLMM) meetings to build on their efforts around labour market initiatives and progress.

Topics discussed included the provincial and territorial Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDA), the Canada Job Fund and Canada Job Grant, apprenticeship programs for Red Seal trades, providing more comprehensive labour market information, labour mobility and recognizing qualifications from foreign jurisdictions.

“These meetings and discussions are critical to developing our Northern workforce,” said Minister Lafferty. “We have signed three labour market agreements in the last year to enhance and create new employment and training opportunities for Northerners and meet the needs of both our residents and employers. The North will be experiencing significant economic growth over the next several years, and the Government of the Northwest Territories is taking steps to ensure our people are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that will come with it.”

Minister Lafferty used last week’s meetings to share perspectives on labour market needs and opportunities gained from meetings with Northern industry and training partners in September. This information will help ensure the labour market agreements provide new employment and training programs that are targeted at creating opportunities and jobs for Northerners.

“At the end of the day, we are responsible for addressing any challenges to creating a sustainable and open labour market in the North,” said Minister Lafferty. “We want to improve employment success for NWT residents, close skill gaps for in-demand NWT jobs, and more effectively respond to NWT employer and industry needs to support a strong and prosperous Northern economy.”

For more information, visit Career and Employment and Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupation Certification.

Media inquiries:

Jacqueline McKinnon
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Tel: (867) 920-6222
Email: jacqueline_mckinnon@gov.nt.ca