Ottawa finds ways to work through provinces on training

OTTAWA—Latest estimates suggest that some 387,000 full-time jobs have been lost in Canada since the financial crisis struck in October of last year, in percentage terms the largest drop in a five-month period since the recession of 1982. This is a shock to Canadians not only because these are huge numbers but because we have had the opposite problem for the last decade: shortages of people, not shortages of jobs. So what can Ottawa do? The role of the federal government is somewhat limited thanks to the shifting of training to the provincial realm, which began with Paul Martin's budget or 1995 when training responsibility was devolved to the provinces partly to reduce federal expenditures and partly to respond to Quebec's interest in more control in the field. With that shift, the federal government has been limited in its own ability to get into the training arena. Rather, it passes large sums of money to the provinces to do training. It does provide some monies for colleges and universities for research, scholarships and infrastructure, incentives for apprenticeship training and assistance to sector councils—national skills agencies that serve industry in various sectors of the economy. The feds have also maintained a responsibility for assistance to certain under-represented groups, such as aboriginal peoples, immigrants, person with disabilities and older workers. But it stays out of providing training. On comes the recession and there's pressure to do more? What can Ottawa do? The calls on Ottawa are exhaustive. Do more about support for unemployed workers. Extend employment insurance. Spend more on re-skilling laid off workers for occupations that are still hot. Up-skill workers for when the economy recovers—which economists say may be as early as some time in 2010. Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Diane Finley has been active in the federal economic action plan as outlined in the budget. "Our government is taking action during this difficult economic period to help vulnerable Canadians get the support they need as quickly and efficiently as possible," Finley told The Hill Times. "We're also providing Canadians the opportunity to get the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow." In a recent speech to the G8 Labour and Employment Ministers meeting in Rome, Finley said, "One of our top priorities is employability. We want to address workers' needs today. And prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. We will earmark new funding for the provinces and territories, hit sectors and regions of our country." She said she expects up to 150,000 people to benefit from this $1-billion program. She added, "Because employers need to keep their businesses productive and globally competitive, we're helping workers develop new skills for the jobs of tomorrow. We're offering income support for long-term training to people who have worked in the same job or industry for many years." This transition-focused measure is expected to benefit 40,000 workers. Interestingly, her Liberal critic, Dartmouth MP Mike Savage is thinking along the same lines, at least in terms of priority issues. "This is the time to help by giving Canadians experience and training. Providing income support in the short term and training for when the economy picks up." Where the Liberals disagree with the government is on the amount of stimulus, in terms of funding for training and for the EI program. He expects his party to table definitive solutions in the near future. Savage also expects the House Committee on Human Resources and Skills Development, of which he is vice-chair, to address the issues of assistance to Canadians during its current study on poverty. Whether we look at this issue as part of EI or as an addendum to the report, we have to be responsive", he added. Committee chair, Niagara West-Glanbrook MP Dean Allison agrees. "Certainly the recession will influence the direction our committee takes. Positive structural improvements can come about during difficult economic times and I believe our committee has both the vision and the cohesion necessary to play a major role in that endeavour." As for the government, Allison says it "has a role in helping workers in difficult times of transition by helping with training." He is especially pleased with the $1-billion for training within the EI program and the half billion dollars for the Strategic Training and Transition Fund that will serve self-employed workers—those returning to the workforce after extended absences, and those ineligible for EI. Employers also want the feds to work nationally despite the devolution that has taken place among governments. Working through national sector councils allows the federal government access to a broad range of employers across the country in key sectors of the economy. This too remains a priority for the government and as demonstrated in the House Committee's "Employability" report last year, it remains an all-party priority for delivering solutions in skills development. Statistics Canada points out that losses in March were widespread across a number of sectors, notably in manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate and leasing, construction and natural resources. These losses were only partially offset by gains in business, building and other support services. "Partially offset" is what passes as good news these days. With all the money passed on to the provinces in the recent budget, the trick is to make sure the provinces spend wisely on training, and that trainees train for jobs that will exist when that economy picks up over the next year or two. news@hilltimes.com The Hill Times

Ottawa finds ways to work through provinces on training

With all the money passed on to the provinces in the recent budget, the trick is to make sure the provinces spend wisely on training, and that trainees train for jobs that will exist when that economy picks up over the next year or two

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