Backgrounder: Minister Boissonnault announces federal investments for inclusive learning and skills development in Alberta
Summary
Today, PrairiesCan announced JGF support for two organizations:Develop the Workforce Initiative South East (WISE) program to support underrepresented workers, including youth, women and new Canadians, to re-enter the workforce and find better career opportunities in growth sectors and emerging industries in southeast Alberta.Develop and implement Phase II of the First Industrial Research, Science or Technology (FIRST) job placement program.The RIE program helps create, grow, and nurture inclusive regional ecosystems that support what business needs to innovate from start to finish. Through RIE, targeted investments in not-for-profit organizations support businesses in priority sectors to innovate, grow and compete globally. RIE also promotes inclusive growth by helping underrepresented groups more fully participate in the innovation economy. The new funding builds on PrairiesCans previously announced funding of $236,500 towards the program.Improve labour market outcomes and support economic recovery through facilitating and coordinating with post-secondaries in Alberta.Grow data science talent for Albertas small- and medium-sized firms through mentorship and work integrated learning that will provide aspiring data scientists with applied industry experience and hands-on training.Develop and deliver a program for tech-transitioning talent that provides small- and medium-sized firms access to skilled labour to accelerate the growth of Albertas digital technology sector.Support an early-stage entrepreneurship business training pilot that will bring promising young talent together with early ecosystem supporters and mentors. This new funding builds on PrairiesCans previously announced funding of $229,625 towards this project.Create and deliver the Blue Book Program to provide students with the opportunity to move a business from ideation to launch.Scale up the Young Agrarians Grow-A-Farmer Program to deliver specialized agriculture entrepreneurship programming, on-farm internship, business mentorship, and ecosystem capacity building to increase new and young people entering the sector, and enterprise-readiness for new farm entrepreneurs across the Prairies.