TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN SASKATCHEWAN GROW IN RESPONSE TO THE BOOMING ECONOMY

In response to Saskatchewan’s booming economy the Government of Saskatchewan will invest $198.9 million in the 2007-08 budget for skills training institutions and programs.

Advanced Education and Employment Minister Pat Atkinson today also announced details surrounding the funding for an additional 2,118 new education and training opportunities for Saskatchewan learners, an increase of $32.9 million over last year’s budget.

“Saskatchewan now has more jobs than people,” Atkinson said.  “Our economy is booming!  In the last few months the number of jobs in our economy has increased by over 20,000 per month.  We need to make sure our people are trained and ready to seize the opportunities our economy is creating for them.  As part of our seven point plan we are taking action through massive investments in our training and education institutions to meet the challenges of the labour shortage head on!”

The breakdown for these additional 2,118 seats will create an additional 1,686 new skills training, apprenticeship, work-based training, northern studies, and health care education and training opportunities.  An additional 432 new opportunities in Adult Basic Education have also been created.  Overall these investments provide learners with the training they need, where they need it.

The delivery of skills training to Saskatchewan learners occurs in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), the regional colleges, the Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, Dumont Technical Institute and the College of Medicine.

“At SIAST, we are excited to be one of many beneficiaries of the new education and training opportunities being announced today,” SIAST president and CEO Dr. Bob McCulloch said.  “This investment will enable us to further increase the number of students that we can educate and prepare for rewarding careers, particularly in high-demand areas.”

Since 2004-05, the province has created 6,164 ongoing opportunities and an additional 2,320 one-time opportunities.  This eclipses the Government of Saskatchewan’s election target of 5,000 in the 2003 election.

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For more information, contact:

Christopher Jones-Bonk
Advanced Education and Employment
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3106
Email: cjonesbonk@sasked.gov.sk.ca