NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT PROJECTS APPROVED

Training and employment are the focus of two projects announced today under the Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement (NDA).

Finance Minister Ralph Goodale and Saskatchewan Northern Affairs Minister Buckley Belanger announced $560,400 in federal-provincial funding to support:

• work experience to permit 12 additional northern apprentices to achieve journey status; and

• four training programs providing opportunities for 53 northerners to qualify for employment in high demand industrial development occupations.

"Saskatchewan's north is a vital source of economic strength and stability and can play an important role in the Government of Canada's strategy to build an even more globally competitive and sustainable national economy," said Minister Goodale, on behalf of Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). "That is why we are committed to investing in skills upgrading and community economic development under initiatives like the Northern Development Agreement."

"The Northern Development Agreement is helping to create career choices for northern residents," Belanger said. "These new initiatives will give northerners the ability to qualify for a wide variety of jobs from general labourers to highly skilled occupations such as aircraft maintenance engineers, electricians and plumbers. These projects will be particularly valuable in providing new opportunities for northern youth."

"The four new training programs offered through Northlands College, and related to industrial development, are based in the northwest Saskatchewan communities of Buffalo Narrows and La Loche," Northern Development Board Corporation Chair Al Rivard said. "This will enable more residents from northwest communities to take advantage of employment opportunities in the oil sands development occurring in nearby Fort McMurray and at northern Saskatchewan mine sites."

The two projects provide:

• $249,600 to the Northern Apprenticeship Committee for apprenticeship wage assistance to eligible employers who will provide employment and training that will enable northern apprentices to gain their journey status and certification. The committee will be targeting apprentices for aircraft maintenance engineer; automotive services technician; carpenter; electrician; heavy-duty mechanic and plumber.

• $310,800 to Northlands College to undertake four training programs (construction labourer, cook, camp services and pre-employment welding) to help northern Saskatchewan residents take advantage of employment in oil sands projects in the Fort McMurray area. Skills gained will also be applicable in other work environments such as northern Saskatchewan mining sites.

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For More Information, Contact:

Joanne Mysak Western Economic Diversification Saskatoon Phone: (306)975-5942	Glenn McKenzie Northern Affairs La Ronge Phone: (306)425-4203
Dean Desjarlais Northern Development Agreement La Ronge Phone: (306)425-2444