Workforce Development Agreement (WDA)

Overview

In Budget 2017, Canada announced its commitment to make three labour market transfer agreements (Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities, the Canada Job Fund Agreements and the Targeted Initiative for Older Worker Agreements) simpler and more flexible by consolidating them into new Workforce Development Agreements.

The Vision

The Canada-Prince Edward Island Workforce Development Agreement is a new initiative to support the employment and training needs of Prince Edward Island's labour market. Ensuring that programs offered through the Canada-PEI Workforce Development Agreement respond to the evolving needs of individuals, employers and communities will remain a priority for the province. Our goal is to increase the participation of Islanders in the labour force and assist them to develop the skills they need to find work in a changing economy.

Features

•  Foster inclusive labour market participation: Help individuals access labour market opportunities and support successful integration of those facing obstacles to finding and maintaining employment;
•  Align skills with labour market needs: Help workers and employers access the skills they need to adapt to the changing requirements of jobs and the labour market and encourage employer involvement in training and continuous learning opportunities for workers;
• Create efficient labour markets: Support strong and responsive labour market infrastructure to allow for timely and effective labour market programming which contributes to improved productivity and economic growth.

Available Programs

Workplace Skills Training
Workplace Skills Training provides Islanders with opportunities to obtain or increase their education and skill levels to match labour force requirements. Employers will receive financial assistance to provide training to unemployed, underemployed or employed workers. Training must be short term and meet job-specific and incremental industry requirements of the organization.

Workforce Experience
Financial assistance will be provided to local employers to provide on-the-job-training and mentoring for new full-time employees. These investments should result in well-trained and productive employees who are able to contribute to the success of the business.

Workforce Development Projects
Workforce development projects are collaborative partnerships to enhance the labour market participation of eligible participants by assisting them to prepare for entry to or return to employment or obtain or keep employment or maintain skills for employment.

Funding Agreement

Funded by the Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population through the Canada-PEI labour market agreements.