MINISTER’S RESPONSE TO STRENGTHENING REGIONAL COLLEGE SYSTEM

Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration (AEEI) Minister Rob Norris has released the ministry's response to the 2010 Regional College Review report.

The review was conducted by Dr. Michael Atkinson, Executive Director of the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy who made a number of recommendations to create a stronger and more accountable regional college system.

"As a result of consultations with our partners, we have identified key areas in the report upon which to focus," Norris said. "This is a positive step in moving us forward in our collaborative efforts to strengthen the regional college system."

Several key priorities have been identified, including:

• Meeting the needs of students by strengthening the relationship between AEEI and regional colleges;
• Improving governance in regional colleges with a focus on training of board members;
• Establishing performance measures for regional colleges to inform planning and decision-making; and
• Building on the regional college system's capacity to respond effectively to local, regional and provincial labour market demands.

The Regional Colleges Act requires a review of the regional college system at least once every five years. There are seven regional colleges in Saskatchewan, which include: Northlands, North West, Cumberland, Carlton Trail, Parkland, Great Plains and Southeast Regional Colleges.

AEEI's response to the Regional College Review report is available at http://www.aeei.gov.sk.ca/regional-college-review-report.

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For more information, contact:

Rikki Bote
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4156