SASKATCHEWAN GOVERNMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO SKILLS CANADA

Advanced Education and Employment Minister Pat Atkinson today announced funding for Skills Canada Saskatchewan in support of upcoming provincial and national competitions.  The competitions will allow hundreds of youth to engage in friendly competition in the areas related to skilled trades and technology.

“With the critical need for skilled labour in this booming economy, it is important that we promote skilled trades as a lucrative career choice for our young people,” Atkinson said.  “The two upcoming competitions will profile and promote the broad range of careers in skilled trades and technologies that are available to our youth.”

The Province will be providing $ 446,750 to Skills Canada Saskatchewan in support of the provincial and national competitions to be held in Saskatoon this year.  Funding comes from the Department of Advanced Education and Employment, the Department of Learning, Crown Investments Corporation and the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship Trade Certification Commission

“We thank the provincial government for its support of Skills Canada’s work to develop Saskatchewan’s skilled labour workforce, and to showcase our province’s many career opportunities in these vocations to young people from coast to coast,” Skills Canada Saskatchewan chair Donavon Elliot said. 

The 9th annual Saskatchewan Skills Provincial Competition takes place June 4-5 and the winners will compete at the 13th annual Canada Skills Competition from June 6-9.  Both events will be held at Saskatoon’s Praireland Exhibition Park.  Over 500 secondary and post-secondary youth will compete in competitions in 42 skilled trades and technology areas in the national competition.

Here is the breakdown of the funding:

                 National                 Provincial
                 Competition           Competition

AEE            $200,000               $66,750
Learning     $50,000 
CIC            $50,000                $25,000
SATCC        $50,000                $5,000          

Total          $350,000              $96,750

Skills Canada is a national not-for-profit organization devoted to addressing the skills gap and encouraging young Canadians to consider trade and technology careers by highlighting to youth the importance of job ready skills.

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For more information, contact:

Neva Peykova
Advanced Education and Employment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0926
Email: npeykova@sasked.gov.sk.ca 

Conrad Pura
Skills Canada Saskatchewan
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-683-0404