Ottawa, November 30, 2020 – Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is pleased to see significant investments in the fall economic update in support of skills development and training for Canadians. This includes $1.3 billion over two years for measures targeted at young Canadians, students and vulnerable populations to help them develop the skills they need to succeed.
Among these positive measures, CICan notes $575.3M over two years for the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy to support approximately 43,500 job placements. Colleges and institutes across the country are also poised to support specific measures helping women, newcomers, persons with disabilities and Indigenous people access training opportunities.
The commitment to eliminate interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans for 2021-2022 will also go a long way in supporting Canadian students and helping graduates launch their career in these uncertain times. Support for 120,000 job placements through the Canada Summer Jobs program will also help create valuable opportunities.
“We are pleased to see that the government continues to promote skills development as a critical component of Canada’s economic recovery,” noted CICan president and CEO, Denise Amyot. “The last Speech from the Throne had promised an ‘historic’ investment in training for workers. It is very promising to see that this economic statement shows continued efforts in that direction.”
Colleges and institutes are also ideally placed to support the government’s stated goal of improving the recruitment and retention of early childhood educators across the country as well as personal care providers. As key providers of training in both sectors, they welcome the government’s investment of $420 million for measures such as grants and bursaries for students studying early childhood education, and $38.5 million over two years to train up to 4,000 personal support worker interns through an accelerated program.
Though the association is pleased to see the government’s ongoing efforts to support broadband connectivity across the country, there remains an acute need for infrastructure funding to support post-secondary institutions and the communities they serve.
CICan also notes that the Fall economic statement includes only very limited funding for innovation and applied research, which continues to be a priority for colleges and institutes across Canada. Leveraging these resources to boost Canadian innovation is especially important for SMEs, which have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic and will need to innovate to adapt to our new normal.
About Colleges and Institutes Canada:
Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is the voice of Canada’s publicly-supported colleges, institutes, cegeps and polytechnics, and an international leader in education for employment with ongoing programs in over 25 countries. CICan’s members add over $190B to Canada’s economy each year and contribute to inclusive economic growth by working with industry and community partners to offer more than 10,000 programs to learners in urban, rural, remote, and northern communities.
-30-
For more information:
Julien Abord-Babin
Senior Strategic Communications Officer
Colleges and Institutes Canada
Email: jabord-babin@collegesinstitutes.ca
Phone: 613-746-2222 ext. 3131
Twitter: @CollegeCan