The department informed the committee that RWED, along with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, participated in on-the-job training for private companies through the new MNE initiative (maximizing northern employment). The committee is hopeful that training opportunities and student graduate hiring offered through the MNE will increase full-time permanent northern resident employment in the NWT. However, the committee also wishes to ensure that northern businesses are the first to benefit from this new program.

The committee asked if there was a policy or written guideline stating that northern businesses would receive first priority for programs under MNE such as the private business development program which provides funds for businesses to hire and train northern employees. The department stated that there are no formal guidelines and that local offices made decisions.

The committee would like to see a formal process that places preference for northern companies over southern firms in applications for MNE funding. The standing committee is of the opinion that northern residents should be the first to be trained under this program to promote a northern workforce.