Released on November 15, 2006
Premier Lorne Calvert today announced $52.6 million for the education and training of Saskatchewan's young people, a major new commitment addressing the tightening labour market as the province's economy continues to grow."The Government of Saskatchewan is delivering on its promise to expand training opportunities to meet the demands of our province's vibrant and growing industries and businesses," Calvert said. "This investment helps Saskatchewan families today, providing our province's young people with an even brighter future and more opportunities to learn, grow and prosper right here at home."
The investment consists of the following components:
• $13.3 million to create an additional 2,584 training opportunites in the areas of health education, trades and skills and basic education;
• $4.7 million for training equipment;
• $2 million to renovate and modernize training facilities;
• $2 million for northern development;
• $0.3 million this year to establish the Saskatchewan Labour Market Commission; and
• $30.3 million for post-secondary education capital, including $2.8 million for the purchase of two mobile training labs to take training on the road to students and industry.
New training opportunities will be located at SIAST, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, Dumont Technical Institute and regional colleges across the province, with an emphasis on providing training to First Nations and Métis students for participation in Saskatchewan's growing labour market.
"Today's $52.6 million investment builds on our April 2006 commitment of $15.5 million and is the greatest total investment in training in the province's history," Advanced Education and Employment Minister Pat Atkinson said. "More importantly, the additional 2,500 training opportunities created today provide Saskatchewan learners with more than 5,000 new opportunities this fiscal year."
Further details on the Province's post-secondary capital investments will be announced at a later date.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Christopher Jones-Bonk Advanced Education and Employment Regina Phone: 306-798-3106 Email: cjonesbonk@sasked.gov.sk.ca |