Released on January 18, 1996
The Saskatchewan and federal governments will each invest up to $13million in three initiatives designed to test new approaches to develop
the province's labour force. The three-year agreement was announced
today by Lloyd Axworthy, federal Minister of Human Resources
Development, and Bob Mitchell, Saskatchewan Minister of Post-Secondary
Education and Skills Training.
The Saskatchewan projects fall under the national Strategic Initiatives
Program, a key element of social security reform. The projects will
allow the governments to take action that will improve the links
between the labour market and people seeking employment in
Saskatchewan. People will be better able to prepare for and find jobs,
and employers will have greater access to skilled workers. Pilot
projects will be tested in three key areas: labour market information;
career services; and work/study initiatives.
"This country and this province face a constant series of challenges in
keeping pace with change in our economy and society," said Axworthy.
"To meet those challenges, we need the kinds of creative, constructive
labour market programs included in this agreement. This is a good
example of federal-provincial partnerships working for the benefit of
Canadians." .....2
"Identifying labour market needs and opportunities begins at the
grassroots level," Mitchell said. "This agreement is based on
extensive collaboration. The pilot projects will be based on
partnerships with community groups and industry to ensure
made-in-Saskatchewan training and employment programs. These sectors
best know the opportunities to link people and jobs."
Mitchell said the funding allows groups to explore, design and test
skills development and employment solutions for communities, regions or
industry sectors. Projects that demonstrate solutions will benefit all
Saskatchewan workers and employers.
Under the Canada-Saskatchewan Strategic Initiatives Agreement, the two
governments will fund the following projects:
Labour Market Information (LMI) Initiative has been developed in
partnership with major stakeholders and will include development
of an automated province-wide labour market information network.
This provincial network will be linked to the National LMI System
developed and operated by Human Resources Development Canada. The
Saskatchewan LMI network will give people direct access to local,
regional and national information on employment opportunities, the
skills needed for those occupations, and the education and skills
development opportunities available in Saskatchewan. The LMI
products that result from this project will support
federal/provincial labour market planning and the Career Services
Initiative.
Career Services Initiative has been developed in partnership with
major stakeholders and will include community-based pilot projects
that test different ways to deliver career services using
multimedia technology, such as the Internet. Clients will be able
to get career counselling and assessment, along with up-to-date
information on occupational requirements, education and skills
development options, and labour market trends. Funding will also
be provided to local community groups to test specific
community-driven career development projects.
Work/Study Initiative will test a variety of new approaches that
combine work and study to help individuals find sustainable
employment. While skills development must be linked to local
industry and community needs, the projects will also test
approaches that may be applied throughout the province. Selected
work/study projects must meet criteria such as ability to address
local labour market needs/opportunities; encourage partnership
between business/industry/communities; be innovative; and provide
employment opportunities for designated groups. Groups interested
in submitting a work/study proposal, should contact 1-800-597-8278
for more information.
The federal government's funding of these initiatives falls within the
framework set out in the February 1995 federal budget. These projects
underline the federal and provincial governments' commitment to better
serve Saskatchewan people through a more effective use of their tax
dollars.
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For more information, contact:
Micheline Renaud
Strategic Initiatives
Human Resources Development Canada
Hull, Quebec
Phone: (819) 953-7391
Jean Gabert
Program Consultant
Human Resources Development Canada
Regina, Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 780-6772
Lily Stonehouse
Assistant Deputy Minister
Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training
Regina, Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 787-5676
Wayne McElree
Executive Director
Skill Training and Employment Services
Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training
Regina, Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 787-2093