FUTURE SKILLS TRAINING PROJECTS CREATE 48 JOBS

Released on February 17, 1995

Education, Training and Employment Minister Pat Atkinson today
announced that five projects under the Future Skills training program
have been approved enabling Saskatchewan workers to secure 48 new,
permanent jobs.

"Future Skills shows what partnerships between industry, individuals,
communities, and post-secondary institutions can do," Atkinson said.
"Workers are getting the skills they need to land jobs and build
long-term careers, and employers are getting the skilled workforce they
need to expand, given the current resurgence of the provincial
economy."

The five approved projects are:

ù SIAST, Wascana Institute, in partnership with Advanced Engineered
Products Limited, Regina; training 10 workers for aluminum
production line welding;

ù Northwest Regional College and SIAST in partnership with Peak
Manufacturing Inc., North Battleford; training 18 fibreglass
workers;

ù Palliser Institute, SIAST, and TrailTech Industries, Gravelbourg;
training two production line welders;

ù Prairie West Regional College, the University of Saskatchewan and
New Careers Corporation in partnership with Microgro, Biggar;
training 12 people for a new greenhouse operation; and,

ù Woodlands Institute, SIAST, Prince Albert in partnership with
Northern Contractors; training for six trucker drivers in northern
Saskatchewan.
Employers said in each case the program funding will train workers in
skills that are needed to fill full-time, long-term positions which are
available immediately.

First announced in November, Future Skills is a $10-million program
which provides funding for training across the province.

Under a work-based training option employers receive up to 50 per cent
of training costs to a maximum $5,000 per trainee, provided that
training meets agreed standards and is attached to permanent jobs.
Eligible employers are Saskatchewan businesses, particularly in growth
sectors of the economy such as mining, energy, forestry, agriculture
and food processing, information technology, and tourism and culture.

Other options under Future Skills provide money for employers,
community organizations and post-secondary institutions to develop new
ways to deliver apprenticeship training, and transition-to-work
programs for youth and other groups, such as Indian and M‚tis people,
women in non-traditional fields, people with disabilities and visible
minorities.

"The government supports training which offers recognized skills that
help build a career, and training which is tied to a real job,"
Atkinson said. "I think Future Skills shows clearly the government's
commitment to training and education across the province."

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For more information, contact:

Rick Pawliw
Education, Training and Employment
Regina
Phone: 787-5984