Question Period Note: Investing in Skills for a Net-Zero Economy

The 2022 Fall Economic Statement proposes to provide $250 million over five years, starting in 2023-24, to Employment and Social Development Canada to help ensure Canadian workers can thrive in a changing global economy. Specific measures include: the Sustainable Jobs Training Centre; a new sustainable jobs stream under the Union Training and Innovation Program; and the Sustainable Jobs Secretariat.

• For Canada to thrive in a changing global economy, workers need help to get the skills they need to succeed.

• That is why we announced $250 million over five years to help workers develop skills for a net-zero economy.

• These measures include:
o A Sustainable Jobs Training Centre to help workers upgrade or gain new skills for jobs in a low-carbon economy;

o A new sustainable jobs stream under the Union Training and Innovation Program, to support unions in developing green skills training for workers in the trades; and

o A Sustainable Jobs Secretariat to offer a one-stop shop for information on federal initiatives to build a low-carbon economy with opportunities for everyone.

• These measures will help Canadian workers to thrive in good-paying jobs that will be essential to Canada’s long-term prosperity.

Building on Budget 2021 investments in skills development, including through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, Skills for Success, and the Apprenticeship Service, the Government is taking new actions to help ensure that Canadians have the skills they need.

The 2022 Fall Economic Statement proposes to provide $250 million over five years, starting in 2023-24, to Employment and Social Development Canada to help ensure Canadian workers can thrive in a changing global economy. Specific measures include:

1. The Sustainable Jobs Training Centre: The Centre would bring together workers, unions, employers, and training institutions across the country to examine the skills of the labour force today, forecast future skills requirements, and develop curriculum, micro-credentials, and on-site learning to help 15,000 workers upgrade or gain new skills for jobs in a low-carbon economy. The Centre would focus on specific areas in high demand, starting with the sustainable battery industry and low-carbon building and retrofits.

2. A new sustainable jobs stream under the Union Training and Innovation Program: The Union Training and Innovation Program supports union-based apprenticeship training in the skilled trades. Funded projects through this stream would support unions in leading the development of green skills training for workers in the trades. It is expected that 20,000 apprentices and journeypersons would benefit from this investment.

3. The Sustainable Jobs Secretariat: To effectively support workers on the road to sustainable, good-paying jobs, the government will launch the Sustainable Jobs Secretariat to offer a one-stop shop for workers and employers. It will provide the most up to date information on federal programs, funding, and services across government departments as Canada works to build a low-carbon economy with opportunities for everyone.

The Department continues to advance work on this commitment in collaboration with other relevant government departments.

Further details on all these measures will be provided in the first half of 2023.

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