COLLEGE AND UNION JOIN WITH THE PROVINCE

Released on February 18, 2004

The Parkland Regional College, the Saskatchewan Government Employees Union (SGEU) and the Province of Saskatchewan became partners today to increase Aboriginal participation in the workforce.

Under the province's Aboriginal Employment Development Program (AEDP), the partnership agreement will have a significant impact on Aboriginal participation in the workforce.

"This partnership will mean real opportunities for Aboriginal students," Aboriginal Affairs Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "More training institutions and unions are stepping up to the plate to support a Representative Workforce Strategy. I am proud to say that as a result of the Aboriginal Employment Development Program there have been more than 1,700 Aboriginal people hired and 4,000 employees who have received cultural awareness education."

"Parkland Regional College, as an employer, is very pleased to be a signatory to the Aboriginal Employment Development Program. We are pleased to have SGEU as a signatory as well on behalf of the unionized college staff," Parkland Chief Executive Officer Fay Myers said. "We will strive to review workplace policies, continue to provide cultural awareness education to staff and communicate employment opportunities to potential employees through Aboriginal communities and training institutions."

"Parkland Regional College's SGEU union membership is pleased to be a partner in the signing of the tripartite agreement between its management and the Aboriginal Employment Development program. This agreement ensures equitable representation for all qualified Aboriginal persons seeking employment with Parkland Regional College," SGEU Local Union 4039-06 Local Chairperson Maxine Gordon said. "The membership voted unanimously in favour of this partnership since we are committed to providing the best education and training to the students we serve. Hiring qualified and culturally diverse employees gives us the skills and knowledge base to better understand the variety of issues and concerns our students face and also provide quality education and training."

Parkland Regional College serves a population of almost 65,000 and has a higher than average Aboriginal population. SGEU has a membership of 20,000 members, making it the largest union in Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Government, through the Aboriginal Employment Development Program, strives to build a representative workforce in Saskatchewan where Aboriginal people compete for jobs based on their skills and qualifications, and where they have representation at all occupational levels in proportion to their population numbers in the province.

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For More Information, Contact:

Anna Arneson Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs Regina Phone: (306) 787-8008 Email: aarneson@graa.gov.sk.ca