Released on July 9, 1997
The federal and provincial ministers responsible for skillsdevelopment and labour market initiatives today committed more than
$217,000 under the Canada-Saskatchewan Strategic Initiatives Agreement
for a pilot project to train economic development officers for
northern Saskatchewan communities. The announcement by federal Human
Resources Development Minister Pierre S. Pettigrew and Saskatchewan
Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training Minister Joanne Crofford
coincided with the Prince Albert launch of the project, which will
develop and pilot remote training, and test it with ten First Nations
and Metis participants.
This project is in addition to 30 other pilot projects announced last
December under the Strategic Initiatives Agreement.
"This project brings together governments and community groups in a
partnership approach to test new ways to improve the labour market,"
Pettigrew said. "Its focus on First Nations and Metis youth supports
the Government of Canada's commitment to assist Aboriginal youth to
have a stake in the workforce and achieve economic independence."
"The provincial government is currently implementing a
made-in-Saskatchewan Training Strategy which will build on the
successes of the Strategic Initiative pilot projects," Crofford said.
"This project is an excellent example of how partnerships between
governments and among other agencies can test new approaches to
training delivery for the benefit of Saskatchewan people."
Part of the Government of Canada's Strategic Initiatives program, the
Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement commits each government to contribute up
to $13 million over three years to fund innovative projects that will
address the labour market needs of Saskatchewan. The provincial
JobStart/Future Skills training program is included as part of
Saskatchewan's financial contribution.
Total Strategic Initiatives funding in today's announcement is
$217,557. A further $307,227 will be provided by other project
partners.
With the project announced today, total federal funding allocated for
committed projects under the Canada-Saskatchewan agreement is $5.4
million. Additional Strategic Initiative projects will be announced
as they are approved.
The federal funding of these initiatives falls within the framework
set out in the February 1997 budget. This project underlines the
commitment of both governments to establish spending priorities that
will best serve the people of Saskatchewan through the efficient use
of tax dollars.
Further information on Canada-Saskatchewan Strategic Initiatives or
the pilot projects is available at 1-800-597-8278.
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For more information, contact:
Jean Gabert Wayne McElree
Human Resources Development Canada Post-Secondary Education and
Yorkton Skills Training
Phone: (306) 786-5222 Regina
Phone: (306) 787-8420
The December 1996 news release announcing the 30 previous Strategic
Initiative projects is available on the Internet. The URL is:
http://www.gov.sk.ca/newsrel/1996Dec/589.96121601.html