The Government of Canada Supports Career Opportunities in Agriculture

Market Wire, September, 2008

Mr. Pierre Lemieux, Member of Parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced funding to promote career opportunities in the agricultural sector.

"Our government is creating the best-educated, most-skilled and most flexible work force in the world," said Mr. Lemieux. "This investment will help Canadians learn about career opportunities in agriculture, and help the industry deal with skilled labour shortages.

Speaking at La Ferme Gillette in Embrun, Mr. Lemieux announced $1,302,345 in federal funding for three projects led by the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC). These projects are designed to promote existing and new employment opportunities in the agriculture sector, and ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the Council's research, programs and learning tools.

"CAHRC is engaged in projects that are uncovering new ways to recruit and retain agriculture workers, and increase training opportunities for farmers to build new skills," said Ms. Danielle Vinette, Executive Director of the Council. "This includes analyzing emerging agriculture markets and the skills required of workers to better understand the training and employment needs of farms that are getting into these new markets. It also means raising awareness amongst Canadian agriculture stakeholders of the Council's activities.

Through Canada's Sector Council Program, the Government is providing $645,457 for CAHRC's Communications and Outreach project, $371,826 for its Identifying On-Farm Occupations project, and $273,062 for its New Markets and Future Skills in Agriculture project. This funding of $1,302,345 will help CAHRC to strengthen Canada's agriculture work force.

Since its creation in 2006, CAHRC has worked successfully with industry leaders, governments and education stakeholders to develop and implement programs and tools that deal with the most pressing human resource challenges facing the agriculture industry.

Canada's Sector Council Program plays a vital role in helping to meet the objectives set out in Advantage Canada, the Government of Canada's long-term economic plan, which sets a bold but achievable goal: to have the best-educated, most-skilled, and most flexible work force in the world. Sector councils bring together governments, business, labour and educational stakeholders in key sectors to share ideas, concerns and perspectives about work force issues.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

Visit the new Human Resources and Social Development Canada Web site at www.hrsdc.gc.ca .

To learn more about the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council, visit: www.cahrc-ccrha.ca .

Contacts: Office of Minister Solberg Pema Lhalungpa Press Secretary 819-994-2482 Human Resources and Social Development Canada Media Relations Office 819-994-5559 Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council Shannon Sheil Media Relations 613-565-3258