GREEN TEAM PROGRAM READY FOR APPLICANTS

Employers and students are invited to apply to the Green Team summer student employment program.

The program was introduced in 2004 to engage Saskatchewan youth in the environmental economy. It is a joint initiative of Culture, Youth and Recreation and Saskatchewan Environment and is administered by an industry partner, the Saskatchewan Environmental Industry and Managers Association (SEIMA).

"Green Team was a huge success in its inaugural year, employing more than 100 high school and post-secondary students in positions across the province and we expect another great year," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Joan Beatty said. "It's an opportunity for young people to apply their environmental knowledge and enthusiasm toward helping further our green and prosperous economy."

"With the Green Team, everyone wins," Environment Minister David Forbes said. "High school and post-secondary students get hands-on work experience and an opportunity to learn about and care for our environment. Employers get young enthusiastic recruits eager to learn and the province gets higher youth employment and increased awareness of environmental issues."

Grants of either $1,000 for employers hiring high school students or $2,500 to hire students continuing their post-secondary education are available for environmental jobs.

"We are pleased to partner with the province on Green Team," SEIMA Executive Director L'Angelle Lunney said. "The program provides opportunity for both young people and the business community to contribute toward a stronger environmental industry within Saskatchewan."

The deadlines for the program are April 1st, 2005, for employers hiring post-secondary students and May 1st, 2005, for hiring high school students. Adjudicators will be selecting proposals that provide the best development experience for a student.

For more information on the Green Team including applications for students and employers, please visit www.seima.sk.ca, or www.greenteam.gov.sk.ca or call SEIMA at 1-306-543-1567.

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Peters Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4967

L'Angelle Lunney SEIMA Regina Phone: (306) 543-1567