Faced with a growing labour shortage, the Quebec Liberal government introduced measures to get more people off social assistance and working in budding industries.

The three-year "employment pact" program includes incentives for people to get off welfare — incentives such as new skill training.

The ultimate goal is to bring able people back into the workforce at a time when Quebec faces a shortage of 70,000 workers in the coming years, said Premier Jean Charest.

"A part of this addresses itself, yes, to people that we want to integrate to the labour market, to whom we want to extend a hand, so they can be part of this economy also," Charest said Tuesday at the announcement.

"That includes people on low wages, on welfare, physically handicapped, recent immigrants, who all have their own reality to deal with."

The pact includes a work bonus ranging from $500 to $2,900 for social assistance recipients who get a job.

The government is hoping to get 50,000 people off social assistance in the next three years, Charest said.

About 183,000 Quebecers are currently on welfare, including 20,000 under 25.