The federal and Yukon governments have reached an agreement to provide $45 million to the territory to train workers.

The funding was announced Wednesday afternoon by Yukon MP Larry Bagnell and Education Minister Tracy-Ann McPhee.

The $45-million investment will be over six years, which started in the 2017-2018 fiscal year. It will end in 2022-2023.

The Yukon is getting approximately $18 million from Workforce Development Agreement and over $27 million from the Labour Market Development Agreement. This was signed in April.

Bagnell said Canada is seeing record employment, with more than one million jobs being created under the Liberal government. He said this momentum must be maintained.

The Yukon has been leading on this front. He explained that it has been traditionally tougher to create jobs in the North than down South.

“The fact that we (Yukon) were leading was amazing,” Bagnell said.

This does lead to problems since the Yukon technically sits at full employment.

Many businesses in the territory are in sore need of employees, he pointed out. That said, there is still some unemployment in the area.

This funding can create opportunities for those who are unemployed, and can help people enter the workforce for the first time. He hopes this funding can help train people.

Up to $12 million has been set aside to help people with disabilities get into the workforce or to maintain employment.

Bagnell said this training is important because of the way society has progressed.

In the past, someone could train for a career or a job and be set for life. Today, that may not be the case.

Technology evolves and changes so fast that workers’ skills and knowledge become outdated.

“Everyone needs training,” Bagnell said.

This funding will provide opportunities for these workers to upgrade their skills and remain in their professions. Workers could also acquire skills and change careers if needed.

The federal government is working with its provincial and territorial counterparts to help deliver these opportunities to workers, he added.

He said the programs need to be created and operated by the territory so they can reflect the needs to the specific jurisdiction.

There were consultations in 2016 which helped the feds identify the best way to help.

The MP said this could help up to 650 people. He explained that this is not an exact number, and cited that many people visit Employment Central, which is in the same building as his constituency office.

McPhee said this funding will help provide financial support for apprenticeships. It will also help develop workplace accommodation and workplace supports. This can include tutors and job coaches.

Another benefit is it can help connect job seekers with employers.

“Our goal is to continue to move forward with this work and these agreements will help us do so,” McPhee said.

The territory wants to create more efficient services that are more client-centred. She added they want to help build foundational skills and reduce economic disparities between Whitehorse and the small communities.

The territory wants to keep partnering with First Nations and provide opportunities for under-represented groups. This includes people with disabilities, older workers and women in trades.

She said that some of these programs come with parameters that don’t work for the Yukon. This is not the case concerning Wednesday’s announcement. This means the funds can be used to help all Yukoners.

McPhee and Bagnell said this agreement has been signed that should move forward regardless of October’s federal election results.

Two people were invited to the news conference to share their experiences with this initiative.

Benjamin Rhames was a sheet metal worker but cannot continue in the trade anymore due to an injury.

Through this program, he was able to look into a new trade. Occupational health and safety interested him.

Rhames was able to take the knowledge of his previous job and apply it to his new one.

“I think that’s great, so thank you,” he said.

Connor Oliver-Beebe was formerly a welder. He suffered an eye injury and worried about his future in the field.

He decided to go into engineering, and completed his first year of studies. He has now found employment.

“I’m quite thankful for the funding that we’ve been receiving,” he said.

“I wouldn’t have been able to go back to school without being set back.”