SASKATCHEWAN REGIONAL COLLEGES ENROLL WITH ABORIGINAL EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT

Enrollment is up again for Aboriginal Employment Development (AED) as the Ministry of First Nations and Métis Relations welcomed seven Saskatchewan Regional Colleges as the newest partners at a partnership agreement signing today in Saskatoon. The signing is unprecedented in terms of the number of educational institutions coming together to increase First Nations and Métis employment, which in turn will support Saskatchewan's growing economy.

Signing the AED partnership agreement today are Carlton Trail Regional College, Cumberland College, Great Plains College, Northlands College, North West Regional College, Parkland College and Southeast Regional College. These colleges span the province and include all regions.

"Having the Regional Colleges come on board is important to the growing success of AED," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister June Draude said. "As employers, they will work to open their institutions to more First Nations and Métis employees and First Nations and Métis suppliers of goods and services. As training centres of excellence they will develop the targeted training that will graduate people with the skills needed to help keep Saskatchewan's economy growing."

"The Regional Colleges are working with First Nations and Métis communities to make sure our workplaces are prepared to welcome many more Aboriginal employees," Parkland College president and chair of the Council of CEOs Dr. Fay Myers said. "Not only will this help to address our future human resources needs, but it will provide us with greater understanding when we develop training programs to meet the needs of employers who are trying themselves to seize the growing economic development opportunities across Saskatchewan."

"This supports our strategy to sustain our growing economy by building a high-quality post-secondary system that meets the needs of learners and employers," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "It also emphasizes the commitment of our institutions to educate and train our First Nations and Métis people so they can participate in the labour market."

The Aboriginal Employment Development initiative is focused on bringing the under-trained and largely untapped First Nations and Métis workforce into play to support Saskatchewan's growing economy.

Through workplace audits, existing AED employers and union partners will identify jobs into the future that will need trained employees. Educational institutions, including the Regional Colleges, can then develop and offer programs to give First Nations and Métis people the skills they need to compete successfully for the open positions. All AED partners work to identify and address barriers to training, hiring and retaining First Nations and Métis employees. The overarching goal is to see First Nations and Métis people achieve representation in the provincial workforce at all occupational levels in proportion to their population numbers.

With this signing, there are now 89 Aboriginal Employment Development partnership agreements in place. Agreements have been signed with public and private sector employers, organized labour, government ministries, First Nations and Métis organizations, post-secondary institutions and First Nations and Métis communities. Visit www.fnmr.gov.sk.ca/aedp/ to learn more.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Sean St. George
First Nations and Métis Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-7177
Email: sstgeorge@gov.sk.ca