For immediate release: October 13, 2006

McGuinty Government Improves Access To
Manufacturing Skills Training

Highly Skilled Workforce Means Better Jobs

Peterborough - The McGuinty government is helping improve access to skills training and development opportunities for the manufacturing sector in the Peterborough and Kawartha region, Jeff Leal, MPP for Peterborough, announced today on behalf of Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

"The McGuinty government's support for this project demonstrates that we are on the side of families in rural Ontario," said Leal. "This investment will support the creation and retention of manufacturing jobs in the region by increasing the competitiveness of local manufacturing operations. It is also key to helping retain youth in our rural communities through the creation of 250 internships for youth and displaced workers."

The government will contribute $892,500 to help the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation, the Kawartha Manufacturer's Association, and Pepsico Foods (Quaker Oats) revitalize and re-tool the Peterborough and Kawartha Region's manufacturing sector. The project will include workforce training, a youth internship program, a 'made locally' public awareness campaign, in-class secondary school presentations, customized skills training programs, and access to milling technology expertise.

"Thanks to the support of the provincial government, we will be able to encourage local manufacturers to further invest in enhanced access to skills development and other enhancement opportunities," said Jay Amer, general manager of the economic development corporation. "This project will improve the skills of the existing manufacturing workforce through customized programs that can be adapted to meet the needs of the local manufacturing community."

Other initiatives that help families in rural Ontario include:

• Providing $910 million over the past three years for farm income stabilization and support programs, including $110 million in new provincial funding announced at this year's International Plowing Match

• Investing $520 million in the Ontario Ethanol Growth Fund to expand ethanol production in Ontario, and
  

• Investing over $26 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development Program.
  Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, which invests in projects that support sustainable rural economies and community partnerships - a key part of the government's plan for rural Ontario.

Through the RED program, the Ontario government and its rural partners are building stronger communities that work better for the people who live in them.

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Contacts:
Christopher Flavelle
Minister's Office
416-326-3072

Dave McLeod
Communications Branch
519-826-3198