N.B. Streamlines Wage Subsidy Programs To Suit Changing Workforce Needs
SAINT JOHN – The Higgs government announced on Monday that it’s changing the way employment programs are offered to be more accommodating to changing labour force needs.
The Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL) department is introducing Workplace Connections, an initiative that will combine all existing wage subsidy programs and their budgets into one pool. This effectively discontinues One-Job Pledge, Workforce Expansion Program and Youth Employment Fund, but continues to make the funding available.
“All of those programs are now going to be rolled into one fund so it would be a lot more flexible with a lot fewer criteria. Anyone who is eligible for those programs will be eligible for the new funds,” said Trevor Holder, Minister of PETL, in a phone interview with Huddle.
Holder says the programs are being reorganized to reflect the new challenges being faced by employers and employees.
“Our current employment programs are based on a time when there were more people than there were jobs,” he said. “We now have more jobs than people to fill them so we need to change the way we do business.”
He says doing this will allow for more tailored solutions to the workforce challenges in New Brunswick’s different regions.
“What works in Shippagan now might not be what works in St. George, and what works in St. George now might not work in two years from now,” he said. “What we need to do is tailor programming around the labour market of each local community and match employers with employees, and whatever we need to do to help that situation, whether that’s wage subsidy or training, we’re now better equipped to do that.”
Holder says the fund won’t be “application and criteria-driven” like the previous programs. He said many employers and employees had found the process cumbersome. Now, he said it will be much easier for employers and employees to get help, and more people will likely qualify for the wage subsidy program.
“We’ll be much more equipped to handle their needs and the program will be much more nimble,” he said.
Applications for the One-Job Pledge and Workforce Expansion Program won’t be accepted after November 29, and applications for the Youth Employment Fund won’t be needed after March 31, 2020. Those already enrolled in the programs won’t be affected.
PETL’s 19 regional employment development offices has also been re-branded to WorkingNB after the department noticed most people didn’t know where the offices were or what they offered. Job seekers can go to these offices to get matched with a job, the same way they had been able to go to the PETL offices, Holder said.
There’s no new funding or funding cuts due to these changes, he added.
“All of these programs together, we’re talking about $120 million,” he said. “Nothing is changing in terms of the money that’s budgeted. It’s the same amount of money, it’s just in one big flexible fund now.”
Holder said WorkingNB offices will also be asked to submit strategic plans so the effectiveness of their programs can be measured.
Job seekers and those looking for training and career opportunities will keep working with employment counsellors to identify their career goals and needs, while services or training will be offered to help them as well.
There will also remain investments available to connect job seekers to the labour market through experiential learning opportunities. Employers will be working directly with consultants who will help determine their labour force and human resources needs, including recruitment, retention, and training.