The New Brunswick government signed an agreement Monday they hope will connect young people with manufacturing jobs.
The Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour reached a three-year, $2.1-million deal with Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium.
Under the agreement, they’ll create the Youth in Manufacturing program.
“The manufacturing sector is crucial to our economy and is experiencing persistent labour shortages,” Post-Secondary Education and Training Minister Jean-Claude D’Amours said in a statement.
The minister added approximately 13,000 job openings are expected in the sector between 2025 and 2034.
Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium will work with schools, employment service providers and community organizations to promote the program and connect eligible youth with manufacturers.
Up to 300 young people will gain access to paid employment and training opportunities.
“Young people are an essential component for a vibrant province, and good jobs are a great way to keep them here,” D’Amours said.
D’Amours said the agreement aligns with the province’s economic development strategy.
The minister said the partnership will help the government support youth not in an education, employment or training stream.
“That population is one of the most crucial groups for the province’s economic development,” he said.
“Giving young people more opportunities to explore and connect with industries like manufacturing will only strengthen our efforts moving forward.”
Manufacturing accounts for about nine per cent of New Brunswick’s gross domestic product.
Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium president Jean-Pierre Giroux said if New Brunswick manufacturers want to grow and compete, they need the next generation of skilled workers.
“This initiative will help make that connection,” he said.
“By giving young New Brunswickers meaningful workplace experience, valuable skills and a pathway into good jobs, we are helping reduce youth unemployment while strengthening the talent pipeline our manufacturing sector needs.”
Small and medium-sized manufacturing employers will participate in the program by recruiting and hiring youth with the intention of providing long-term employment.
The consortium will help the employers in the following ways:
- Identify entry-level and early-career roles suitable for youth.
- Recruit youth who meet program eligibility criteria through the employer’s own hiring processes.
- Provide youth with access to training modules leading to five industry-recognized microcredentials.
- Confirm readiness to provide paid employment, onboarding and workplace supervision.
- Understand program requirements, supports and reporting processes.
- Provide mentorship and supervisory training for staff who will work with participants.
