Turning to skills training measures, as you know, the government is investing in enhancing the availability of training, both to assist workers hit hardest by the economic downturn now and as an investment for the longer term.
We are working with provinces and territories to provide funding for training and program services. The government is investing an additional $1.5 billion through agreements with provinces and territories. This investment is expected to assist up to 150,000 individuals over the next two years. The negotiation of agreements for both the strategic training and transition fund and the increased funding for the labour market development agreements are progressing well. To date, nine of these agreements have been signed. Agreements in principle exist with Newfoundland and Labrador and the territories, and we expect the signing of these agreements very soon, later this month.
The government is also working with provinces and territories to implement the announcement of a $60 million increase over three years to the targeted initiative for older workers, which will support 6,000 or more older workers. To date, six provinces and territories have signed amendments for this budget 2009 funding. Six others are being actively discussed, and only Alberta is indicating it will not be participating in this program.
The Canada summer jobs program for 2009 has also been launched. Nationwide, approximately 22,000 employers have been offered funding to create over 39,000 jobs for students. MPs have been informed of their increased allocations, and agreements are being finalized with employers, and the hiring of students began in May.
To further help unemployed youth develop the necessary skills to get jobs, the government is creating a one-time grant of $15 million with the YMCA and the YWCA to create internships in the not-for-profit sector and community services organizations, with a focus on environmental projects. Agreements with the YMCA and YWCA have now been finalized.
With the additional funding for the aboriginal skills and employment partnership, five additional projects have been approved, worth a total of $18.8 million. These will help secure long-term jobs for approximately 1,300 aboriginal people. A second request for proposals closed in mid-May for the next round, in which we would expect to fund up to 20 additional projects.
As well, an application process was launched on May 4 for the aboriginal skills and training strategic investment fund. The deadline for this application process is June 19, and we would expect approximately 3,700 aboriginal people will benefit from projects funded under this program.
The new $2,000 apprenticeship completion grant, offered to apprentices who successfully complete their training in a Red Seal trade, will begin accepting applications on July 2, with eligibility being retroactive to January 1, 2009. There we expect an estimated 20,000 apprentices will be able to benefit from the apprenticeship completion grant right away.
Finally, HRSDC is also working actively with provinces and territories to develop the pan-Canadian framework on foreign qualification recognition, to be presented to first ministers in September. An interim report will be submitted this month to the first ministers.
As I have outlined, significant progress has been made in implementing the Canada Skills and Transition Strategy and helping Canadians to weather the current economic environment. We will continue to move forward with the few outstanding commitments and monitor our ongoing progress. We have a rigourous process departmentally and will report to Parliament on a regular basis. We will also continue to work to improve our processing times for EI claims and have pledged to come back to Parliament to report on progress.
With the help of my colleagues, I would be very pleased to take any questions Committee members may have on the implementation of these measures.