September 30, 2004 LA RONGE, Saskatchewan -- New training and job opportunities are opening up for northerners with funding under the Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement (NDA). The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are providing $522,946 for five projects including support for establishment of a Forestry Career Centre, First Nations child care training, a practical nursing certificate and computer training for northern administrators. "The Government of Canada is committed to helping the people of Northern Saskatchewan take advantage of economic opportunities," said Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance, on behalf of Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification. "These projects are building local strength and skills to ensure that northern communities have a good, solid economic foundation for a viable future." “These projects put northern Saskatchewan residents in a better position to realize employment opportunities and northern communities in a better position to build capacity,” Buckley Belanger, Saskatchewan Northern Affairs Minister said.” “Northerners, through the approval of these five initiatives will become more self sufficient by enhancing their education thereby increasing their effectiveness in their chosen professions. As we approve more projects through the Northern Development Agreement, the level of capacity in the North grows and the North will become better served and more self-reliant,” Al Rivard, Chair of the Northern Development Board Corporation said. The NDA tripartite committee selected the five projects after reviewing applications for project proposals. This was the second round of applications approved since the NDA was established in October 2002. The NDA tripartite committee consists of representatives from the federal and provincial governments (Western Economic Diversification Canada and Saskatchewan Northern Affairs) and the Northern Development Board Corporation (NDB). The NDB includes representatives from the Prince Albert Grand Council, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities (New North) together with the Athabasca Economic Development and Training Corporation. To date, the federal and provincial governments have announced over $3.1 million in funding for 13 projects that are worth more than $4 million including partnership contributions under the NDA. The five-year, $20-million NDA—funded with $10 million each from the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan—provides opportunities for northerners in five strategic priority areas including economic infrastructure, innovation, realizing employment opportunities, capacity building, and investment attraction. The five projects announced today are: Training Total Project Costs First Nations child care training (certificate/diploma) $240,260 First Nations child care training (certificate) – Pinehouse $161,736 Practical Nursing certificate training $380,826 New North officials computer training $ 83,920 Capacity Building Forestry Career Centre $170,269 Total project value $1,037,011 Federal-provincial contribution $522,946 Federal funding for these projects was provided for in the March 2004 budget. For additional information, contact: Joanne Mysak Manager, Communications Western Economic Diversification Canada Saskatoon, SK Tel: (306) 975-5942 E-mail: joanne.mysak@wd.gc.ca Dean Desjarlais Chief Executive Officer Northern Development Board Box 660, La Ronge, SK S0J 1L0 Phone: (306) 425-2444 Fax: (306) 425-2288 Ceo.ndbc@sasktel.net John Charlton Director, Communications Saskatchewan Northern Affairs Regina, Saskatchewan Phone : (306) 787-5061 WD Toll-Free Number 1-888-338-WEST (9378) World Wide Web Site: English: http://www.wd.gc.ca French: http://www.deo.gc.ca Backgrounder Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement Training First Nations child care training (Certificate/Diploma) $52,480 (fed-prov) To Northlands College in La Ronge to deliver a $240,260 combined Certificate/Diploma First Nations Child Care program from the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies. The program is targeted at students who have completed their first year First Nations Child Care program as well as existing child care workers who need the certification to keep their jobs. About 15 students will be accepted into each program. Graduates will be fully qualified to legally work in a childcare facility in Saskatchewan. The project helps meet the provincial Child Care Regulations (2001) requirements and allows more northerners to provide certified, quality child care. The Lac La Ronge Indian Band will contribute $120,130. The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies is a post-secondary institution that delivers programming at campuses located throughout Saskatchewan and collaborates with the provincial universities and other educational institutions to deliver diploma, certificate and trades programs. First Nations child care training - (Certificate -- Pinehouse) $79,200 (fed-prov) To Northlands College to deliver a $161,736 First Nations Child care Certificate program from Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies in Pinehouse. About 15 students will be accepted into the program. It is targeted to existing child care workers who need the certification for their jobs. Pinehouse has two daycare centres, a family services centre and a Pre-School/HeadStart program that require qualified staff. The project helps the facilities meet the provincial Child Care Regulations (2001) requirements and allows more northern residents access to training and employment. Northlands College will contribute $4,921. Practical Nursing certificate training $177,077 (fed-prov) To Northlands College in La Ronge to deliver a $380,826, 16-month Practical Nursing program from SIAST Wascana Institute. Students will attend an extensive six-week clinical and six-week practicum at Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert during their training. About eight students are expected to enrol from across northern Saskatchewan. Graduates will be eligible to write national exams to be registered as Licensed Practical Nurses in Saskatchewan. The project allows more northerners to find skilled employment opportunities at home, in health-related fields elsewhere or to continue training to earn a Registered Nurse qualification. Northlands College will contribute $151,317. Computer training $43,920 (fed-prov) To New North to hire an instructor to train municipal administrators, staff and elected officials from the 35 northern Saskatchewan communities that are New North members. Training will be open to community residents if extra space is available. Computers will be turned over to the communities at the end of the project. Training will be held in Beauval, Stony Rapids, La Ronge, Creighton/Denare Beach, Buffalo Narrows, La Loche and Sandy Bay. The project will increase information technology skills among local officials and help communities better manage their assets by electronic recordkeeping. Saskatchewan Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs will contribute $40,000 outside the terms of the Northern Development Agreement. Capacity Building Forestry Career Centre $170,269 (fed-prov) To the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies to establish and operate a $170,269 Forestry Career Centre in La Ronge that will focus on employment and training in the forestry sector. The centre will help the sector build a skilled labour pool of northern residents. The centre will match industry demand with available skilled workers, develop links to industry, provide resources for entrepreneurs interested in starting value-added forestry sector business, promote forestry as a career to northern youth in all major northern high schools and provide a series of skills training, such as safety and driving. About 150 participants are expected to register in the project; 75 are expected to enrol in construction safety training and about 20 are expected to take driver’s licence training.
