Government of Canada will invest $39,000 in training for AO Smith employees
OTTAWA – Michael Chong, M.P. for Wellington-Halton Hills, announced that the federal government will invest $39,000 in the AO Smith plant in Fergus. The money will provide advanced skills training for employees at the plant and is being granted by the federal government through the Achieving Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence (AIME) initiative of the Yves Landry Foundation.
“Our government is focussed on creating and protecting manufacturing jobs in southern Ontario,” said Chong. “This investment in advance skills training will help AO Smith compete in global markets and ensure that good manufacturing jobs stay in Ontario. This money comes from Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our plan to create jobs and steer the Canadian economy through the global recession.”
“We are delighted to be working with the Government of Canada on this important partnership project,” said Michael Sherrard, Chair of the Yves Landry Foundation. “Thanks to the funding, we can continue to foster innovation within the manufacturing sector and support the adaptation of the new technologies of southern Ontario.”
In 2009, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $12 million in the Yves Landry Foundation’s AIME initiative. This local project is one of many to receive a contribution from the federal government through the initiative. This initiative is helping eligible small- and-medium-sized manufacturers in southern Ontario by allowing them to bring new ideas to market, attract and retain talent, develop growth for new and existing businesses, and create leading-edge jobs. The Yves Landry Foundation was established by leaders in Canada’s manufacturing sector in 1998, to resolve the skilled labour shortages facing Canadian industry by promoting advanced skills training.
“With the financial aid of the Yves Landry Foundation we have trained over 40 employees. The application of this training has now been implemented into our daily work practices at our Fergus facilities. This is a necessary investment in our future to remain competitive and provide advanced products and services to our customers”, said David Hammond, General Manager, AO Smith, of Fergus, Ontario.
AO Smith Corporation purchased the GSW manufacturing plant in 2006.
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