LABOUR MARKET STUDY PRESENTS CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Saskatchewan will need to increase the number of skilled workers available to the labour market in future years to off-set retiring baby boomers. That is the conclusion of a report by Doug Elliot of Sask Trends Monitor.

Saskatchewan Learning commissioned the report, which was released today at the Saskatchewan Centennial Summit. It also highlights the need to improve participation by Aboriginal Peoples in the labour force and increase education levels of workers across the board.

"This report signals the need to continue working with our partners to ensure that Saskatchewan people have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to take advantage of the expected increase in job opportunities here in the province," Learning Minister Andrew Thomson said. "A flexible and responsive learning system and the development of a skilled labour force are critical for the economic and social well-being of Saskatchewan."

According to the Saskatchewan Labour Market Trends: 2004 Update, which was commissioned by Saskatchewan Learning, the number of people living in the province is expected to remain relatively constant, but with aging baby boomers heading into retirement, the need to replace these workers will increase. Partnerships among industry, employers, the education and training system, First Nations and Métis organizations and all levels of government will help prepare the province's future labour force.

The report indicated that while skilled labour shortages are expected nationally, Saskatchewan has a young and growing aboriginal population that provides a strategic advantage to help replace the province's aging workers.

"Providing all youth, particularly aboriginal youth, with education, training and employment opportunities and actively hiring and recruiting skilled workers from outside the province will position us to better respond to future skill shortages," Thomson said.

The Saskatchewan Labour Market Trends: 2004 Update is available online at the Saskatchewan Learning web site: www.sasklearning.gov.sk.ca

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For More Information, Contact:

Jacquie McLean Learning Regina Phone: (306)787-5609 Cell: (306)535-2261