SOUTHWEST REGION TO RECEIVE 122 TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

As part of the Province's $52.6 million training announcement, another 122 citizens in the South-West region will have an opportunity to receive the training they need.

In total, 2,584 new opportunities have been created in Saskatchewan.

"The Government of Saskatchewan is delivering on its promise to expand training opportunities to meet the demands of our province's vibrant and growing industries and businesses," Premier Lorne Calvert said. "These opportunities provide young people in every corner of the province with an even brighter future – and more opportunities to learn, grow and prosper right here at home."

The total training investment in the South-West region is worth $504,000, which will provide for the following:

• A 14 seat Pre-Employment Electrician program in Swift Current;

• 93 part-time training opportunities in a variety of skills training certificate programs including Early Childhood Education, Continuing Care Assistant, Heavy Equipment Operator, Short Order Cook, Production Line Welding and Power Engineering in Swift Current;

• 15 Adult Basic Education opportunities in Swift Current with a focus on workplace essential skills; and

• The development of a lab facility for power engineering that will enable students from Cypress Hills Regional College as well as other colleges to obtain hands-on training in power engineering in Swift Current rather than having to move to Saskatoon for this component of the program.

"By providing 122 training opportunities in the Southwest region, including health care, trades and adult basic education, we're creating the opportunities our young people need where they need them," Advanced Education and Employment Minister Pat Atkinson said. "We're drawing a direct path between the learner and the job, and creating the training opportunities necessary to bring the two together."

"Cypress Hills Regional College is pleased to work with business, labour, and government to build our regional economy," Cypress Hills Regional College CEO Mark Frison said. "Our region has seen a continued demand for skilled trades people and health care professionals, and this investment allows us to satisfy that demand by providing our employers with the employees they need."

The $52.6 million total represents the greatest investment in training in the Province's history.

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For More Information, Contact:

Christopher Jones-Bonk Advanced Education and Employment Regina Phone: 306-798-3106

Mark Frison Cypress Hills Regional College Swift Current Phone: 306-778-5466