RISE IN APPRENTICE NUMBERS LEADS TO MORE GOVERNMENT FUNDING

As the number of apprentices in Saskatchewan grows with the province's thriving economy, government announced an additional $3.5 million investment in the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) to train and certify skilled tradespeople.

Due to an increasing demand for skilled workers, the number of registered apprentices in Saskatchewan has increased by approximately 2,800 in just three years, bringing the total to more than 8,100. This means a dramatic increase in the number of certified tradespeople in the province.

"We have seen more than 3,000 skilled tradespeople achieve journeyperson status in Saskatchewan in the last three years," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "Our government is working hard to sustain our economic momentum, and recognizes we must support the SATCC and our apprentices as the demand for skilled trades workers increases."

The SATCC will use the new funding to purchase an additional 900 technical training seats, bringing the number of seats in the province to 4,700. This translates into an additional 76 apprenticeship technical training classes in 2008-09.

"We are registering an average of 237 new apprentices every month," SATCC Commission board chair Paul McLellan said. "This funding will help us as we work with the province to develop a skilled labour force that will meet the demands of a rapidly expanding economy."

The SATCC continues to work toward increasing the number of skilled and talented workers in the province in a number of ways, including raising awareness of career opportunities among high school students, First Nations and Métis people, visible minorities and people with disabilities.

"It is important to our future that we engage our entire population in this province's growth," Norris said. "I am pleased that our residents, including First Nations and Métis people, are recognizing that a career in the trades is a great opportunity for a secure and prosperous future."

Minister Rob Norris noted that the number of First Nations and Métis workers registered as apprentices has increased from less than 500 in June 2002 to more than 1,200 in June 2008.

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For more information, contact:

Donna-Rae Crooks
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3716
Email: dcrooks@lab.gov.sk.ca

Audrey Wolf-Kaminski
SATCC
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5284