Lockheed Martin Canada Partners with NB’s JEDI Program for Another Year
FREDERICTON – Aerospace, defence, security and advanced technologies company Lockheed Martin Canada is partnering with Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) for another year.
Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) is not-for-profit Aboriginal organization whose mission is to work with partners to foster economic and workforce development for Aboriginal people and communities in New Brunswick. Its Aboriginal Business Accelerator program, officially launched last January, is designed to help businesses take advantage of the opportunities in the multi-billion dollar National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, which is a venture operated by the Department of Public Works and Government Services in an effort to renew Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard fleets.
Lockheed Martin partnered with JEDI at the accelerator program’s inception in 2015 to review the training and mentorship curriculum. The company also participated in the first training modules during the program’s pilot run. On Wednesday the company announced it will continue its partnership with JEDI, increasing its sponsorship support for the new cohort of ten participants in the 2016 program.
“Lockheed Martin Canada has a significant focus on strengthening our community of small Canadian businesses. Our future success – and Canada’s technological advantage – depend on a constant supply of highly trained technical talent as well as highly capable suppliers,” Rosemary Chapdelaine, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Canada Rotary and Mission Systems, said in a release. “JEDI’s program has an essential role to play in positioning Aboriginal entrepreneurs for future opportunities in shipbuilding and defence. Our industry needs these talented people to develop their businesses because we are always looking for new partners to meet the increasing demands of our programs.”
The second Aboriginal Business Accelerator Program will take place beginning in November at Planet Hatch in Fredericton. It will include weekly instruction, office hours with experts and successful entrepreneurs, networking events, presentations as well as business-to-business meetings with key industry stakeholders.
“JEDI is pleased to partner once again with Lockheed Martin Canada on the JEDI Aboriginal Business Accelerator,” says Alex Dedam, president of the Joint Economic Development Initiative. “The JEDI Aboriginal Business Accelerator is an exciting endeavour that will have a tremendous impact on its graduates, the communities they live in and the aerospace and defence industry. The support of Lockheed Martin Canada will be instrumental in helping many Aboriginal people turn their business ideas into successful companies.”