NEW WESTMINSTER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(MARKET WIRE)--Sep 3, 2008 -- Parliamentary Secretary Lynne Yelich, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced support to help build a better-educated, more-skilled and more flexible child care work force.

Speaking at Douglas College's child care centre in New Westminster, Ms. Yelich announced a $434,150 federal investment for the Child Care Human Resources Sector Council to undertake the "Occupational Standards for Early Childhood Educators" project. This project will develop a comprehensive set of occupational standards that will describe the knowledge and skills that a person interested in early childhood education must have to be considered competent in that occupation.

"Our government recognizes that families are the building blocks of society, and we are investing more now than ever before in families with young children," said Ms. Yelich. "Today's investment in the Child Care Human Resources Sector Council goes even further. We are supporting the people who work in the sector, so that child care jobs can be filled over the long term with employees who have the right skills, leading to better care and improved early childhood education."

The occupational standards are a critical element for the successful development of the child care sector, and will help shape everything from the design and delivery of training programs, to the analysis of work force trends and issues, to assisting in recruitment and retention initiatives.

"Today's investment represents a significant contribution to the Child Care Human Resources Sector Council's goal of building a skilled and well-respected child care work force in Canada," said Ms. Diana Carter, Executive Director of the Child Care Human Resources Sector Council. "We are excited to begin work on this project, which will identify the key skills, abilities and knowledge early childhood educators need to work effectively with young children and meet the needs of Canadian families."

This government is supporting the child care choices of all families with young children in a clear and tangible way. In total, the Government of Canada will provide nearly $5.8 billion in 2008-2009 in support of early learning and child care through transfers to the provinces and territories, direct spending and tax measures.

In addition to the announced funding, the Government of Canada's Universal Child Care Plan provides families with resources to help balance work and family as they see fit-regardless of where they live, whatever their circumstances or preferences. The Plan has two parts: direct support to families through the Universal Child Care Benefit; and transfers to the provinces and territories for early learning and child care, and a new investment tax credit for businesses for the creation of child care spaces.

Canada's Sector Council Program plays a vital role in helping to meet the objectives set out in Advantage Canada, the Government of Canada's long-term economic plan, which sets a bold but achievable goal: to have the best-educated, most-skilled, and most flexible work force in the world. Sector councils bring together governments, business, labour and educational stakeholders in key sectors to share ideas, concerns and perspectives about work force issues.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

Visit the new Human Resources and Social Development Canada Web site at www.hrsdc.gc.ca.

To learn more about the Child Care Human Resources Sector Council, visit the following Web site: www.ccsc-cssge.ca.

     Contacts:
     Human Resources and Social Development Canada
     Media Relations Office
     819-994-5559
      
     Office of Minister Solberg
     Pema Lhalungpa
     Press Secretary
     819-994-2482
      
     Child Care Human Resources Sector Council
     Samantha Peek
     1-866-411-6960