GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN SUPPORT ABORIGINAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan will be better equipped to find fulfilling long-term employment, thanks to funding from the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan.  The announcement was made today by Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desnethé–Missinippi–Churchill River on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and Saskatchewan MLA for Saskatoon Greystone and Legislative Secretary to the Premier for First Nations Engagement Rob Norris oh behalf of Saskatchewan Economy Minister Bill Boyd.

Through the Skills and Partnership Fund, the Harper government will help 800 Aboriginal people to find jobs by investing more than $7.9 million in Northern Career Quest for its training to employment project in the mining industry. 

“Our government’s top priorities are job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity,” said Clarke.  “That is why we work with organizations like Northern Career Quest to ensure that Aboriginal people are able to take full advantage of economic opportunities.”

The Government of Saskatchewan will also invest $1.5 million in the project through the Ministry of the Economy.

“Engaging our province’s Aboriginal people in the economy is of great importance and is one of the highlights of our government’s recently released growth plan,” Norris said.  “Strategic investments in initiatives like Northern Career Quest facilitate employment and will prove to be highly beneficial in helping to build Saskatchewan’s Aboriginal workforce and in addressing our provincial labour force needs.”

Northern Career Quest will provide Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan with classroom and on-site training and work experience in the mining industry.  Over two years, 800 participants will be trained in high-demand positions, such as mining technicians, heavy equipment operators, welders and office administrators.

“Funding provided for the original Northern Career Quest program produced extremely positive benefits for industry, communities and most importantly individual Northern families,” Northern Career Quest Chief Executive Officer Steve Innes said.  “We are very confident that with similar strong federal, provincial and industry support, we will achieve the same, and even enhanced, levels of success from this initiative.”

The project will also be partly funded by industry partners, including Cameco and Areva, as well as Northlands College.

“The initial success of the Northern Career Quest program has created approximately 1,450 jobs in northern Saskatchewan,” Northern Career Quest Inc. Chair and Vice-president of Corporate Social Responsibility for Cameco Gary Merasty said.  “By going ahead with a second expanded program, communities, industry and government are ensuring that progress continues for First Nations and Métis people in northern Saskatchewan.”

The Skills and Partnership Fund is part of the federal government’s approach to help First Nations, Métis and Inuit get training and work experience to secure sustainable, meaningful employment.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Marian Ngo
Office of Minister Finley
Phone: 819-994-2482

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Phone: 819-994-5559

Deb Young
Economy
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6315
Email: deb.young@gov.sk.ca