April 10, 2006
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan — Increased funding
for a skills training program will help equip Aboriginal people
in northern Saskatchewan for jobs in the oil sands industry. The
Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister
of Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable Eric Cline,
Minister of Saskatchewan Industry and Resources (SIR), announced
the investment today.
With $755,000 in funding from the federal and provincial governments,
the Job Horizons program will continue to deliver employment success
stories through the frontline work of the Aboriginal Human Resources
Development Council of Canada (AHRDCC).
“The Job Horizons program empowers northerners with the tools
they need to find better jobs in one of Canada’s fastest-growing
sectors,” Minister Skelton said. “The Government of
Canada encourages economic development that creates job opportunities
for all Canadians, regardless of where they live.”
“This cost-shared program has proven to be a successful tool
for building skills and breaking down barriers to employment that
have historically faced our northern Aboriginal people,” Minister
Cline said. “It is a vital partnership that encourages career
planning and links training for northern residents directly to northern
jobs.”
As the project manager, AHRDCC acts as a partnership specialist
using a database to match new jobs with skill sets of northern job
seekers and bringing matches to the attention of human resource
managers. The project manager also advises job seekers on what skills
they need for specific jobs and, once they’ve acquired employment,
assists them with the transition into new work.
"Because of Job Horizons, there has been a dramatic change
in the attitude of youth in our community,” Max Morin, Mayor
of Ile-a-la-Crosse said. “By helping to place dozens of our
people in jobs with a real career future since April 2005, the project
is creating the right kind of role models for our youth."
"The project brings welcome job opportunities to northerners
and it plays a valuable role promoting northern-based talent to
oil sands companies. Everyone benefits,” Doug Gayly, the project’s
chairperson from Laloche said.
"Labour mobility is an important issue facing today's employers
and job seekers. This project offers a promising model that will
interest other regions of Canada wherever skilled labour is in short
supply and where skilled workers are seeking employment,”
Kelly Lendsay, President and CEO for AHRDCC said.
For additional information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, SK
Tel: (306) 975-5942
Amy Ringdahl
Office of the Minister of Western Economic Diversification
Canada
Tel: (613) 996-9331
Bob Ellis
Director, Public Affairs
Saskatchewan Industry and Resources
Regina, Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 787-1691
Fax: (306) 787-8447
Craig Hall
Aboriginal Human Resource Development Council of Canada (AHRDCC)
Toll Free: 1-866-711-5091
Fax: 1-306-956-5361
Email: contact.us@ahrdcc.com
