Other observations: “Having harmonized apprenticeship systems will help more Canadians gain the skills and experience they need to find available jobs. This project will create jobs and oppor- tunities for workers across Atlantic Canada and help employ- ers get the skilled workers they need. Today is an important step forward in removing the barriers to job creation caused by different apprenticeship systems across the country.” — Jason Kenney, federal minister of employment and social development and minister for multiculturalism “Harmonization of Atlantic Canada's apprenticeship pro- grams will improve the opportunity for workers to access the training they need to advance their careers and will cre- ate a stronger labour market in Atlantic Canada. This level of collaboration is unique to Canada and complements work already being done through the Atlantic Workforce Partner- ship to support workers and businesses. This is part of our comprehensive approach to making sure we have the skilled work force needed to meet the demand for existing projects and to attract new employers to the region.” — Stephen McNeil, Nova Scotia's premier and chair of the Council of Atlantic Premiers “Atlantic Canada is leading the nation in ongoing efforts to harmonize apprenticeship programs. By supporting a re- gional approach to apprenticeship that fosters a highly- trained and mobile workforce, the Atlantic apprenticeship harmonization project will ensure Newfoundland and Labrador continues to meet the growing demand for skilled labour - a demand-driven by major developments such as Muskrat Falls, continuing business growth and a strong economy.” — Newfoundland and Labrador premier Kathy Dunderdale “We are pleased to see the federal government partner with Canada's Atlantic provinces and complement the work that is ongoing with our apprenticeship programs. We must work together to build a labour force that is ready for the jobs available today and those in the future.” — P.E.I. premier Robert Ghiz “Based on what we have heard from our stakeholders, the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) has made harmonization of apprenticeship training and cer- tification requirements one if its strategic priorities. The work that will be done to harmonize apprenticeship pro- gramming in the Atlantic region is complementary to the Red Seal trades work that is underway at the national level through the CCDA harmonization initiative.” — Joe Rudderham, Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer 2014 – 29 A New Brunswick government news re- lease says the Atlantic harmonization strat- egy will provide: • improved mobility through improved employer recruitment across jurisdic- tions; • faster training completion through re- duced duplication and better synchro- nized training; • improved understanding and access for foreign-trained trades people; • improve speed of completion by recog- nizing work within different jurisdictions; • reduced development costs of training and exams for governments and institu- tions; • increased consistency of assessment standards and quality of achievement; • improved access to training through log book and curriculum alignment; • consistent advice and guidance to provincial authorities; • Atlantic governments receive common advice on compulsory certification; • enhanced access to information by all stakeholders; • improved resource allocation, cost distri- bution, scheduling of training; and the ability to compare success, improved understanding of success rates and best practices. The project will help harmonize training, certification and standards, leading to in- creased availability of training, higher ap- prenticeship completion rates and increased labour mobility for apprentices across At- lantic Canada. In turn, that means more jobs and opportunities for workers in the skilled trades and a step forward in addressing the skills shortage faced in certain regions and sectors in Canada, the news release says. “This project complements our efforts to support apprenticeship in New Brunswick,” said Jody Carr, New Brunswick's post-sec- ondary education, training and labour minis- ter. “Our Labour Force and Skills Development Strategy 2013-2016 already highlights work being done to attract teens into the trades through the New Brunswick Teen Apprenticeship Program as well as ef- forts to implement a women-in-trades pro- gram. And most recently, we announced four new apprenticeship incentive programs designed to engage employers and support apprentices.”