ONE THOUSAND NEW TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ANNOUNCED

There will be 1,000 new opportunities for Saskatchewan residents to gain valuable skills and access training under the Saskatchewan Career Start Initiative.

The $2 million initiative is in direct response to labour market needs identified at the Centennial Summit held earlier this year and will provide increased training capacity in the Job Start/Future Skills Workbased Training program, adult basic education and apprenticeship programs.

"The provincial government is committed to equipping Saskatchewan people with the skills and knowledge needed to meet the demands of the current and future labour market," Learning Minister Andrew Thomson said. "These new opportunities will provide training and jobs for Saskatchewan people as well as providing employers with the skilled workers they need."

JobStart/Future Skills is a program offered in partnership with Saskatchewan businesses, industry associations, individuals, SIAST and regional colleges to provide on-the-job and technical classroom training for both new and existing employees. Since 1995, over 36,000 Saskatchewan people have received training through this program.

"Today's announcement represents a welcome injection of funds for work-based training," SIAST President and CEO Dr. Robert McCulloch said. "JobStart/Future Skills is a very effective approach to training – one that has proven steadfastly popular with business and industry. It lets SIAST and our training partners at the regional colleges and the apprenticeship commission take a flexible and focused approach to meeting employer needs."

In addition to the 775 new JobStart/Future Skills offerings, 150 new adult basic education opportunities, and 75 new apprenticeship spaces will also be made available through the new funding. The Provincial Training Allowance budget will also be expanded for adult basic education students who require income support while in training.

SIAST and regional colleges provide training consultancy services to employers involved in the Job Start/Future Skills program and SIAST offers students recognized credit for much of the training they receive. SIAST also delivers adult basic education programs through each of its four campuses and is involved in the delivery of apprenticeship technical training in partnership with the Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission. Regional colleges and Dumont Technical Institute are also involved in the delivery of adult basic education programs.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Jacquie McLean Learning Regina Phone: (306) 787-5609