ROAD TO DIVERSITY – PROVINCE SHOWCASES EFFORTS TO BUILD AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE

Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard was introduced to the Ministry's first female Aboriginal heavy duty apprentice mechanic in Yorkton today, acknowledging just how far the Ministry has come in terms of building a more diverse workforce.

Julean Wapamoose is one of 12 apprentices working for the Ministry under the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Program. The apprentices receive mentoring for the four years it takes to become journeypersons, during which time their wages are cost-shared 25 per cent by a sponsoring First Nations community or the Dumont Technical Institute. Once their training is complete, candidates are given opportunities to compete for permanent positions.

"It's an excellent example of how we're taking action to engage more Aboriginal people into Saskatchewan's growing economy," Elhard said. He is also the Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission and its role in the province's human resource function. "What's happening at Highways and Infrastructure - and indeed across government - is that barriers to employment are being eliminated, and opportunities are opening up for those who have traditionally been under-represented in our workforce."

The Minister was also re-introduced to Shane Statchuk, a heavy duty apprentice mechanic in Yorkton who has been blind since birth. His outstanding skills have earned him a respected position on the fleet services team.

"The Ministry hired Shane because of his skills and abilities, and we have simply made adjustments to accommodate his blindness," Elhard said.

"To further emphasize our willingness to accommodate, we've also made adjustments to some of our trucks so that employees with one hand can safely operate these vehicles," Elhard said. "It's a good example of how the public service has taken the philosophy of diversity and put it into action, using innovation and creativity to yield impressive results. We're creating a workforce that is more representative of the population as a whole."

Saskatchewan's public service has seen an improvement in the number of people with disabilities and visible minorities working within its ranks. Today these groups each represent 3.3 per cent of the workforce at the executive level of government.

Within the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, supervisors and managers are given opportunities to recognize, understand and embrace diversity.

"There is definitely more openness and willingness to accept those in non-traditional roles, and this attitude is resulting in positive change," Elhard said. "Front line supervisors and managers are helping to ensure employees understand what it's like to work with those who are different than themselves. For example, under the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Program, we are seeing a retention rate of up to 95 per cent. This is an incredible statistic and speaks to the extensive efforts to ensure new recruits feel a sense of belonging and acceptance in the workplace."

There are approximately 177 Aboriginal employees working for the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure out of a ministry-wide workbase of 1,544 employees. Currently, the percentage of Aboriginal people working in executive levels of government is at 11.4 per cent as compared to 1992 statistics where Aboriginal people only represented 3.1 per cent of executive government employees.

In addition to the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Program, some of the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure's diversity accomplishments include:

• A partnership with the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living to employ those with intellectual disabilities;
• A partnership with Tribal Councils and First Nations to provide hands-on experience in the areas of surveying and soil testing, as well as heavy equipment operation;
• A partnership with the Dumont Technical Institute to house a pre-employment program for heavy duty mechanics at the Prince Albert Highways and Infrastructure shop;
• The hiring of more Aboriginal employees on Ministry crews;
• The hiring of more women in non-traditional roles; 
• The hiring of more employees from visible minority groups; and
• Increased Ministry exposure at career fairs across the province showcasing opportunities for those in non-traditional roles.

"The landscape is changing within Highways and Infrastructure," Elhard said. "We're seeing more and more talented new recruits of varying age, race, gender and ethnic backgrounds. We're working hard to ensure that trend continues here and throughout the public service."

-30-

For more information, contact:

Lynette Piper
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-798-2116
Email: lynette.piper@gov.sk.ca