May 09, 2008
Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan
With a record of 90 per cent of trainees securing employment, a third class of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council's oil rig training course is set to begin. Funding for this project is being delivered through the Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement (NDA).
The federal-provincial investment of $143,250 was announced today by Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and Jeremy Harrison, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Meadow Lake, on behalf of the Honourable June Draude, Minister of Saskatchewan First Nations and Métis Relations.
"Through investments such as this, our Government is helping First Nations obtain the job-training skills necessary to capitalize on the employment opportunities in the oil and gas sector," said MP Clarke. "This program provides the training needed to help achieve a better quality of life for northern Saskatchewan residents and their families."
"It makes sense to build on our successes, and the Meadow Lake Tribal Council definitely has had success with this program," said Harrison. "This training will help residents of the northwest secure good jobs in a vibrant economy, and build a better future."
The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan invested in two previous drill-rig training programs coordinated by the Meadow Lake Tribal Council. Their shared investments total $286,500 and resulted in 27 of 30 participants obtaining employment in the oil and gas industry.
"The Northern Development Agreement has been instrumental in providing northerners with increased capacity for gainful employment," said Vice-Chief Eric Sylvestre, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, "Investments into specific sectors such as the oil and gas enables northerners to improve their standard of living while assisting our organization, the Meadow Lake Tribal Council achieve its objectives with our Oil and Gas Secretariat and our Meadow Lake First Nations."
This project recognizes the success of the earlier courses and accommodates the demand for practical, hands-on training of this type in the oil and gas industry," said Gordon Stomp, Chair of the Northern Development Board Corp. (NDBC). "With this skill set, northerners can find jobs close to home."
The Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement is providing up to $20 million for economic development initiatives in northern Saskatchewan.
For additional information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Manager,
Consultations, Marketing & Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 975-5942
Scott Boyes
Communications
First Nations & Métis Relations
Tel: (306) 425-6669
Cell: (306) 425-8869
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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