IQALUIT, NUNAVUT -- (Marketwire) -- 02/08/13 -- The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Minister for the Arctic Council on behalf of the Government of Canada, along with Deputy Premier Peter Taptuna from the Government of Nunavut and Vice-President Jack Anawak of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. today launched an innovative new learning and development pilot project to help Inuit build their skills and experience for potential future positions in the public service.

"The Government of Canada is committed providing Northerners with the tools and the skills they need to obtain jobs here in the North," said Minister Aglukkaq. ""Our Government is proud to be working with our partners at the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. to prepare Nunavut Land Claims Agreement beneficiaries for potential future job opportunities."

"The Government of Nunavut is the territory's largest employer, and as such, we are committed to building a workforce that represents our population," said Deputy Premier Peter Taptuna. "By training within the three different organizations, our young people will develop a transferable skill set and experience the unique perspective and working environment of each partner."

"In order to implement Article 23 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, Inuit must be employed in government at a level that is representative of the population of Nunavut, which means a minimum of 85 per cent of the jobs within government must be held by Inuit," said NTI Vice-President Jack Anawak. "It is through important initiatives like this that such obligations will be fulfilled, creating a brighter economic future for Inuit."

The Inuit Learning and Development Pilot project will offer a 16-month training opportunity for up to 16 Nunavut Land Claims Agreement beneficiaries who have a high school diploma or the equivalent, college, or university education. The pilot project will include four 4-month assignments of paid full-time work in the Government of Canada, Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. in Iqaluit. The pilot project will also involve classroom learning, coaching and mentoring components. The first group of participants is anticipated to begin their work placements in late May 2013.

This pilot project is intended to prepare Nunavut Land Claims Agreement beneficiaries for jobs in the public service and give them work experience in a variety of government functions and departments. Funding for the work placements will be provided by the hosting organizations.