2012-11-23 18:35:25 -

WHITEHORSE, YUKON -- (Marketwire) -- 11/23/12 -- Yukon Member of Parliament Ryan Leef, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Minister for the Arctic Council, announced today an investment that will improve access to adult basic education programs in the Yukon.


"The basic education programs available at Yukon College will provide many Yukoners with literacy, math and other essential skills to be able to take advantage of jobs in their communities," said Yukon Member of Parliament Ryan Leef. "It also makes it possible for businesses to hire skilled workers locally in areas such as mining, trades and construction."



"Our Government is committed to providing Northerners with the tools and the skills they need to obtain jobs here in the North in growing economic sectors," said Minister Aglukkaq. "By improving access to adult basic education, we are helping to build prosperous communities throughout Canada's North."


"Each Yukon College community campus has indicated the skills that are most needed in their community and developed curriculum suitable for their needs," said Dr. Karen Barnes, Yukon College President. "We are pleased to already have over 50 students in six communities across the Yukon taking advantage of the training opportunities this program provides."


The Harper Government's investment over the next four years of $4.2 million in Yukon will increase the availability of current and specialized programs in Yukon communities for working age adults. By better equipping program participants with literacy, math, and other essential skills to enter the labour force, Yukoners will be able to take on jobs or further training and participate in the growing northern economy.


Launched in February 2012 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Northern Adult Basic Education Program (NABEP) is focused on preparing working age adults to enter the workforce directly or to take further vocational training before entering the workforce, both in larger urban centres and in remote communities. In the Yukon, the program will be delivered by Yukon College.


NABEP is one of several economic development programs within CanNor. CanNor was created to directly enable northern workers and businesses to take advantage of the economic resources and opportunities that exist where they live. CanNor delivers on its exclusive northern mandate through funding programs, providing project management services, leveraging the federal role in the North, serving as a champion for northern interests, and undertaking policy and research.


For copies of CanNor news releases, visit: www.cannor.gc.ca : www.cannor.gc.ca .


For more information on Canada's Northern Strategy, visit: www.strategiepourlenord.gc.ca/index-eng.asp.



Contacts:

Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq

Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic

Development Agency, Minister of Health

and Minister for the Arctic Council

Cailin Rodgers

613-957-0200


Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Erin Macpherson

A/Communications Manager

867-667-3849


Yukon College

Michael Vernon

Communications Coordinator

867-668-8786