FORESTRY TRAINING FUNDING

Released on July 8, 2002

Saskatchewan Learning has approved $510,000 for the Forestry Training Sub-

Committee to assist in training linked to employment in the forest

industry. Participants will become trained for a variety of jobs such as

process operators, heavy-duty mechanics, harvesters and log haulers.



Over the past two years, approximately 500 residents of the commercial

forest region have participated in forestry training programs supported by

the Forestry Training Sub-Committee (FTSC). The majority of the

participants are First Nations and Métis residents.



"The committee continues to allocate this funding to support training

projects linked to existing or emerging employment opportunities in the

forest industry," Learning Minister Jim Melenchuk said. "The Government is

proud to support our growing forestry industry and partner with agencies

who provide good local jobs and the opportunity to train for those jobs."



"This funding is an excellent example of our government's commitment to the

Northern Strategy," Northern Affairs Minister Buckley Belanger said. "The

involvement of northerners in new job creation is important for the entire

province."



"Together we are successfully linking people who reside in the commercial

forest region to training and employment opportunities. Developing the

forest sector is a shared responsibility among industry, government and

other stakeholders," Forestry Training Sub-Committee Chair Roman Orynik

said.



The Department of Learning's 2002-03 budget for forestry training is

$859,000. Last year, in addition to Saskatchewan Learning's contribution

to the FTSC, other stakeholders contributed $2.8 million in financial and

in-kind support for training to assist approximately 220 participants.



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For more information, contact:



Jacquie McLean Jim Ludwig

Communications Forestry Program Manager

Saskatchewan Learning Saskatchewan Learning

Phone: (306) 787-5609 Phone: (306) 953-2744