EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR ALL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 27, 2019 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Today, Terry Sheehan attended the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce Luncheon and Fireside Chat. Sheehan was there to answer questions related to federal government policy and initiatives impacting local businesses, jobs and the economy.

During the event, Sheehan announced a federal investment of $2.6 million for the Professional Aboriginal Testing Organization Inc. (PLATO Testing), which is establishing an Indigenous software testing centre in Sault Ste. Marie.

The investment was announced today by Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for FedNor.

This FedNor funding will enable PLATO to train Indigenous people to develop and deliver software and system testing solutions to clients in Sault Ste. Marie and across the globe.

“In addressing the Skills Gap locally, we see training opportunities evolve into employment opportunities and then the growth of our local businesses. Over the past few years we have invested over $22 million in Algoma University, The Anishinabek Discovery Centre, Sault College and others for new buildings, renovations, equipment and programs to ensure all people receive world class training and opportunities right here in the Sault. PLATO’s new testing centre is another big win for us.”

TERRY SHEEHAN

Member of Parliament Sault Ste. Marie

The new centre will increase the number of skilled software testers and information technology professionals available in Northern Ontario, as well as help address training and underemployment challenges faced by Indigenous groups across the region. Earlier this month, Terry Sheehan spoke out in support of a national trades strategy to address skilled labour shortages in Northern Ontario.

“This is an important investment in the Indigenous peoples of Northern Ontario that will help generate new business opportunities, support innovation and create well-paying jobs throughout the region,” said Sheehan, “I am pleased that Sault Ste. Marie was selected as the base for PLATO’s latest training centre and I am proud of our government’s partnership with this forward-thinking Canadian tech company.”

Keith McIntosh, Founder of Professional Quality Assurance and PLATO Testing, welcomes the support of the federal government.

“I am grateful to the Government of Canada for this support, through FedNor, illustrating the importance Canada places on innovation and skills development to strengthen our economy. PLATO Testing’s new strategic operations in Sault Ste. Marie brings us closer to a ready and able population of First Nation, Métis and Inuit Peoples throughout Northern Ontario and a strong lottery and gaming industry to advance our Indigenous software testing enterprise,” MCINTOSH SAID.

“The Chamber is pleased to see that the Federal Government is taking steps to build these partnerships here in Sault Ste. Marie. The Chamber expects that today’s funding announcement, which will help PQA / Plato Testing build and develop its skilled workforce, will serve as a leading example of the successes that can come when we invest in partnerships with Canada’s Indigenous businesses.”

DON MITCHELL

President, Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce

Quick Facts

Since 2016 and through successive budgets, the Government of Canada has earmarked an additional $62 million for FedNor in support of various initiatives to enable the organization to further strengthen Northern Ontario’s economy and create even more middle-class jobs for Canadians.

The new, non-taxable Canada Training Benefit will help Canadians pay for training fees. Every year, eligible workers between the ages of 25 and 64 would accumulate a credit balance of $250 per year, up to a lifetime limit of $5,000. With this credit, a Canadian worker would accumulate $1,000 every four years, to be used for training fees.

$2.7 billion over six years to boost skills training and employment supports for unemployed and underemployed Canadians under the Labour Market Transfer Agreements.

CanCode is a $50-million program that will give over 1 million teachers and students, from kindergarten to Grade 12, the opportunity to learn digital skills like coding.

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