SASKATCHEWAN LEARNING ANNOUNCES NEW YOUTH CAREER DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN

A new provincial youth Career Development Action Plan was announced this morning at E. D. Feehan Catholic High School in Saskatoon.

"Today's students will face increasing challenges in managing their lives and careers," Learning Minister Deb Higgins said. "At one time we focused on having one career but those days are gone. Saskatchewan's youth can expect to change occupations and career sectors numerous times over their lifetime. Students and their families need to be more informed about what their career paths might involve and that is why we are placing such a strong emphasis on youth career development."

The Career Development Action Plan highlights six key actions including:

• supporting school divisions to increase the number of career development practitioners in schools;
• ensuring a minimum of 30 hours of career guidance for all grade 6-9 students;
• assisting students in building personal career portfolios;
• establishing Career Development action teams in every school division;
• strengthening education partnerships with business, industry, First Nations and Métis organizations; and
• providing youth-friendly web resources for families and youth to work together developing individual career paths. A new Youth Career Discovery web site has been introduced, visit www.gov.sk.ca/youth-career-discovery/.

Saskatchewan Learning is providing up to $400,000 to be awarded this fall to selected school divisions whose expressions of interest are approved for short-term projects to develop models for future province-wide implementation.

"This is a very exciting time at E. D. Feehan Catholic High School," Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools director of education Bev Hanson said. "Career Academy programs allow students to begin charting a path for their futures, helping them discover and explore a variety of career directions, even before they leave high school."

Youth who attended the 2007 Youth Summit told the government that they want to find engaging, challenging and dynamic careers here in Saskatchewan. They want to be a part of workplaces that help Saskatchewan realize its full potential and they want to know that there are endless opportunities here.

"Preparing Saskatchewan's young people to take their place in our economy responds to the interest of our youth and ensures the ongoing prosperity of our province," Higgins said. "This career development action plan will help ensure that Saskatchewan remains the best place for young people to live, work and build strong futures."

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For more information, contact:

Jacquie McLean
Learning
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5609
Email: jacquie.mclean@sasked.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-535-2261

Edith Nagy
Learning
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8246
Email: edith.nagy@sasked.gov.sk.ca