SASKATCHEWAN HOUSING CORPORATION ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH THOM COLLEGIATE

High school students will be gaining experience in the construction industry while helping to meet affordable housing needs in Regina. An innovative, collaborative initiative was announced today by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, the Regina Public Schools, the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship Commission, the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association and other industry associations and suppliers.

The Thom Carpentry Apprenticeship Program (T-CAP) engages Thom Collegiate's Grades 11 and 12 students in all aspects of the housing construction industry while promoting team building and leadership skills. Under the guidance of a teacher mentor, Thom students will use their skills to build two homes from start to finish during the 2006-07 school year. Once the homes are completed, the Regina Housing Authority will make them available to two low-income Regina families. The construction site is located at 514 and 518 King Street.

"This partnership with schools and the construction and trades community demonstrates Saskatchewan's leadership in building successful affordable housing strategies," Corrections and Public Safety Minister Warren McCall said on behalf of Community Resources Minister Buckley Belanger. "By working together, we can help make affordable housing possible for Saskatchewan people. This is the key vision of HomeFirst, our provincial housing strategy.

"T-CAP will be successful, because it encourages apprenticeship options in schools and develops the skills of young people who will build the future of this province," McCall said.

"Thom's T-CAP initiative, as well as other apprenticeship programs in our school division, gives Regina's students an opportunity to learn about and practice the valuable trades that are so vital in our city and province," Regina Public Schools Vice-Chair Russ Marchuk said. "We are pleased to have the support of our partners to make these valuable opportunities possible for our students."

During the construction, students will develop the skills needed by the construction industry. These include work safety, teamwork, framing, construction and concrete techniques as well as how to read plans. In addition to this experience, Thom students will gain credits toward their high school diploma and bank the hours worked on the project toward journeyperson status in the province.

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For More Information, Contact:

Linda Saliken Community Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-0246	Terry Lazarou Regina Public Schools Regina Phone: (306) 791-8247
Milt Raddysh Thom Collegiate Regina Phone: (306) 791-8425