ENTREPRENEURS 2000 REDA PARTICIPATES IN YOUTH EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE

Released on September 28, 1998

Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon today

participated in an event congratulating Entrepreneurs 2000 Regional

Economic Development Authority for its involvement in the REDA Youth

Employment Initiative. The Entrepreneurs 2000 REDA provides services

for business development and regional economic initiatives for

Rosetown, Elrose and rural communities. It has hired Darren Harbicht,

of Elrose, as the first young graduate to take part in the new

employment program locally.



The REDA Youth Employment Initiative is open to Saskatchewan residents

between the ages of 18 and 29, who are recent graduates of a

recognized post-secondary business program. These graduates will help

in a number of areas that include business counselling, preparing

regional profiles and identifying regional business development issues

and opportunities. The full-time work term will be for a minimum of

four months and must be completed my March of 1999.



"I am pleased to see the REDA Youth Employment Initiative in action

here in the Rosetown region," MacKinnon said. "This program is

helping us provide jobs for young people while at the same time

offering REDAs an opportunity to expand their services to the

community."



Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development will support

the REDAs by paying up to 75 per cent of the salary costs and by

providing training and mentor opportunities for those hired.



"This program is a great help to us at the E2000 office," said

Entrepreneurs 2000 REDA CEO Laurie Shalley. "Darren will be

providing our clients with research and consulting services in

areas such as strategic marketing and business planning."



The $240,000 REDA Youth Employment Initiative is one of a number

of enhancements to the REDA program announced in the 1998-99

budget. In all, the province is investing an additional

$1.95 million in REDAs to help increase their capacity to serve

Saskatchewan businesses and co-operatives.



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For more information, contact:



David Barr

Economic and Co-operative Development

Regina

Phone: (306)787-1691