Released on June 13, 2013
Deputy Premier Ken Krawetz is leading a Saskatchewan delegation to Ukraine June 15-21. The delegation is comprised of members of the Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations Advisory Committee (SURAC), Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Saskatchewan Provincial Council (UCC-SPC) and the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST).
The group will build on the work undertaken by the Deputy Premier on his previous visits to Ukraine and the recommendations made by SURAC in their March 2012 report to government.
"A strong relationship of collaboration built over the past 36 years between Saskatchewan and Ukraine has led to several mutually beneficial projects and relationships,” Krawetz said. “Our committee continues to move forward and undertake a number of initiatives. I’m pleased with the successes to date and look forward to further results of the committees’ work.”
The delegation’s focus will build on the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth by:
- Engaging new international markets and diversifying the province’s trade base;
- Supporting Saskatchewan businesses to connect to international markets for the products and services;
- Demonstrating the province’s continued support for an emerging democracy; and
- Promoting and providing assistance on emerging economic and investment opportunities while strengthening existing trade relationships.
The delegation will also meet with the International Labour Centre (ILC). The Centre and SIAST began a partnership in 2009 to provide a service to Canadian employers and potential newcomers by ensuring that the technical and language skills of the potential newcomer match needs in the Canadian labour market. SIAST’s Skills Passport Program assists Canadian employers to verify technical and language skills of potential employees in test centres in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The partnership we have established with the ILC provides a much needed service for Canadian employers, even more so with employers here in Saskatchewan,” SIAST President and CEO Dr. Larry Rosia said. “The quality of skilled workers coming from Ukraine is a direct reflection on the success of the program and we hope to see that continue into the future. Creating Saskatchewan’s future workforce requires ongoing collaboration between education, government and industry.”
For more information on the committee, or to view their report, visit www.ops.gov.sk.ca.
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For more information, contact:
James Parker
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-7871321
Email: james.parker@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-5492