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MacKenzie: Budget Will Be Good for Oxford

Thursday, 21 March 2013 11:17

The federal budget will be good for Oxford County's economy. That's the assessment of MP Dave MacKenzie, who cited a number of programs that will continue to be funded, including $1-Billion for auto manufacturing. "There's things in there (budget) for manufacturing in southern Ontario, the Automotive Innovation Fund is going to continue to be funded. If you're from Oxford, that's going to be good for both the GM-CAMI Plant and the Toyota Plant and all of our suppliers." But the big headline of the budget, the skills plan to match up skills training with employer needs, is also something MacKenzie says is at the top of the list for local needs. "The biggest single thing is opportunities for young people in the area of apprentice and skills, there will additional money for them. I think that's the one thing that everybody is talking about is the shortage of skilled workers...and we hear about it in Oxford." Those programs won't begin until next April, and is contingent on provincial and employer funding. But MacKenzie believes there will be support for the programs. "I really do, we're hearing from employers...this is now the opportunity for business who really need these people to make those major decisions as to the job skills they need and the jobs that are available."

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