$1.6 MILLION BOOST FROM THE PROVINCE FOR FIRST NATIONS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Premier Lorne Calvert today announced details of a $1.6 million investment that will enable the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) to provide training to another 115 learners.

The funding is part of the Province's $52.6 million training investment announced in Regina on November 15.

"Our investment is recognition that SIIT is a strong, vibrant First Nations training institution with a reputation for producing hardworking, high-quality graduates," Calvert said. "The investment provides opportunities for First Nations learners where, when and how they need them so that they can share in our province's economic prosperity."

The investment consists of the following components:

• $1 million in core funding that will help SIIT put the resources it needs in place to realize its full potential and meet labour market needs;

• $330 thousand to create 80 Adult Basic Education opportunities; and

• $260 thousand to create 35 Skills Training opportunities.

"SIIT is pleased to work with business, labour and government to build opportunities for First Nations people," SIIT Acting President Ray Ahenakew said. "First Nations across the province have seen a major increase in labour market demand, and this investment allows us to feed that demand by providing our employers with the workers they need to grow."

The investment also marks the first time the Province of Saskatchewan has provided funding to create training opportunities on-reserve.

"Today's $1.6 million investment builds on our April 2006 commitment of $900 thousand to First Nations learners," Advanced Education and Employment Minister Pat Atkinson said. "Furthermore, by providing training on reserve, more learners than ever will be able to access the opportunities they need."

"We commend the Government of Saskatchewan for recognizing that First Nations institutions need Provincial support," Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Vice Chief Lyle Whitefish said. "First Nations will continue contributing to the workforce in a meaningful way."

The Premier also said that one of the Province's two new state-of-the-art mobile training labs will be dedicated to delivering training opportunities to aboriginal students on and off-reserve. The province is contributing $2.8 million toward the purchase of the labs, which are in addition to the one currently operating in northern Saskatchewan.

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For More Information, Contact:

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

Randell Morris Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies Saskatoon Phone: 306-244-4444 Email: ext. 229