Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) and Siemens are getting a helping hand from the Federal government to support a project for training and certification for youth for careers in advanced manufacturing fields.
CME will recruit 40 second-year college and university students to work at Siemens Canada while going to school. Both CME and Siemens will work with participating colleges and universities to better align curricula with the specific skills needs of the labour market, so that graduates are equipped with the skills employers need.
“Empowering students to learn hands-on manufacturing skills and the most advanced manufacturing technologies not only equips our manufacturing workforce of tomorrow, it strengthens the overall competitiveness of Canadian manufacturing and Canada’s economy,” says Jayson Myers, president and CEO of CME. “Our partnership with Siemens Canada will provide opportunities for 40 students to gain insights and practical experience in a world-class manufacturing environment. This is the future of education.”
This new and innovative training model will adapt key elements of the successful German youth skills development model, where students complete their training at both companies and schools at the same time. The model aims to encourage employers to recruit workers at an earlier age to take an active role in their training.
This project is being funded by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program, which aims to address current and future skills shortages. By encouraging collaboration between employers and post-secondary education institutions, we can ensure that Canadians get the education and skills they need to succeed in today’s job market and prepare for the economy of tomorrow.
The Federal government’s Budget 2015 announced further investment to business and industry associations to allow them to work with willing post-secondary institutions to better align their programs with the needs of employers.
