Atlantic apprenticeship programs being harmonized

Apprenticeship programs across Atlantic Canada are being harmonized in a bid to help keep people working at home.

The initiative was announced in Fredericton on Wednesday by federal Employment and Social Development Minister Jason Kenneyand New Brunswick Premier David Alward.

Within the next four years, the project will harmonize 10 trades across the four provinces beginning with bricklayers, cooks, instrumentation and control technicians and construction electricians, they said.

Having harmonized apprenticeship systems will help more Canadians gain the skills and experience they need to find available jobs, Kenney said in a statement.

This project will create jobs and opportunities for workers across Atlantic Canada and help employers get the skilled workers they need," he said.

"Today is an important step forward in removing the barriers to job creation caused by different apprenticeship systems across the country.

The federal government will contribute more than $4.3 million to the initiative, while the Atlantic provinces are investing $3.5 million.