Funding will assist NAIA with staff training and skill development, in an effort to increase capacity and implement a Farm Based Quality Certification Program for the province’s finfish and shellfish sectors.
“Having employees with the right skill-set is critical to business success and growth. Training and skill development reduces inefficiencies, better prepares businesses and ultimately leads to increased productivity. I am pleased that this $25,188 in funding will assist NAIA in their strategic support of the aquaculture industry and in growing the industry in a sustainable manner,” said Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.
NAIA will receive C$25,188 under the Workplace Skills Enhancement programme in order to assist staff with technical training in food safety, processing activities, and quality management and certification programs, which have been identified as critical needs in the globally competitive seafood sector.
“This government is committed to helping provincial seafood producers enhance their operations and pursue competitive advantage. This funding will enable staff training and skill development that will strengthen their operations and ultimately help their performance when serving markets throughout the world,” said Mr Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
This investment builds on previous commitments to skills training for the aquaculture industry.
“The economic opportunities in aquaculture are huge right now but operators in regions like the Coast of Bays can only take advantage if they can compete worldwide, and investments in skills enhancement like these put them in a position to do that. Having employees with the right skill-set is critical to business success and growth, especially in rural communities,” said Tracy Perry, MHA for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune.
The Workplace Skills Enhancement program provides non-repayable contributions for skills development of existing employees for up to 75 per cent of eligible costs. The program includes advanced skills training, technical skill development, workplace training and specific skills upgrading or industry-recognised certification.
“Newfoundland and Labrador’s blue mussel industry has made tremendous strides in recent years, reaching record production levels in 2013. The outlook for 2014 is even brighter. Having a trained and skilled workforce is essential if we want to continue to develop a shellfish industry that provides long-term employment and prosperity to our coastal communities. Today’s announcement is a positive step forward for our growing industry,” said Miranda Pryor, Executive Director, NAIA.
NAIA is a non profit organization with a mandate to facilitate and promote commercial development of aquaculture and represents the interests of aquaculturists in Newfoundland and Labrador.
