ONLINE INFORMATION CENTRE FOR AGRIBUSINESS TRAINING AND EDUCATION LAUNCHED IN SASKATCHEWAN

The Saskatchewan Council for Community Development (SCCD) today launched a new Web site to connect potential learners with agricultural and agribusiness training opportunities.

The new, 18 month pilot program, called the Centre for Agribusiness Training and Education (CATE), offers comprehensive information on agriculture related courses, seminars and workshops available in Saskatchewan. CATE's Web site, www.agtraining.ca, is designed to help co-ordinate the industry's training and education programming and program delivery by providing users with a searchable database of current training opportunities. A staff person will also be available to provide assistance through the centre's toll free phone line at 1-866-310-CATE (2283).

"Producers and agribusiness managers know continuous learning allows them to keep pace with change and can contribute positively to their bottom line," said Agriculture and Agri Food Minister Bob Speller. "CATE will be an important online connection for individuals seeking to upgrade their skills and will also help training institutions respond to their clients' needs."

"Increasingly, people are looking to the Internet as a source of information and CATE has embraced this medium. This innovative project will provide a portal to training and education opportunities in agribusiness management and will provide easy access to information, especially for citizens in rural Saskatchewan," Saskatchewan Learning Minister Andrew Thomson said.

The SCCD obtained $130,000 in funding for this pilot project from the Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development in Saskatchewan (CARDS) Program which is funded by Agriculture and Agri Food Canada (AAFC) and administered by SCCD. Another $50,000 in funding was provided by Saskatchewan Learning's JobStart/Future Skills Sector Partnership Program.

Establishing a Centre for Agribusiness Training and Education was one of the recommendations in the SCCD's 2003 report, Human Resource Skills Needs Assessment for Primary Agriculture Production Sector. The report, funded by Saskatchewan Learning, revealed a need to connect potential users of agriculture and agribusiness training with available programs.

CATE will be of interest to learners of all ages including farmers, new and emerging agribusiness managers, agriculture service providers and high school graduates. The Website is searchable for agricultural and agribusiness courses by subject, title, location or keywords. Users will also be able to submit comments and suggestions regarding courses they would like offered, providing valuable information for the training institutions featured on the site.

The SCCD is a non-profit organization committed to developing a rich social environment, optimal economic opportunities and quality of life in Saskatchewan.

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For More Information, Contact:

Sheila Ragush Saskatchewan Council for Community Development (SC Saskatoon Phone: (306)975-6856	Jacquie McLean Saskatchewan Learning Regina Phone: 306)787-5609
Carla Ventin Minister Speller's Office Ottawa Phone: (613) 759-1346	Media Relations Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa Phone: (613) 759-7972