Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, July 21, 2008 - For Saskatchewan employers struggling to hire people skilled in the mechanical trades, relief will soon be on the way. New Canadians with international training, immigrating to Saskatchewan, will be able to integrate into the work force more easily, under a pilot project announced by Ms. Lynne Yelich, Member of Parliament for Blackstrap and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, the Honourable Monte Solberg.
"The Government of Canada is committed to creating the best-educated, most skilled, and most flexible work force in the world," said Ms. Yelich. "This project will help new Canadians immigrating to Saskatchewan get their international credentials recognized before arriving in Canada. It will benefit immigrants as well as employers who are struggling with skilled labour shortages, and be good for the Saskatchewan economy."
Speaking at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology's (SIAST) Kelsey campus in Saskatoon, Ms. Yelich announced an investment of $3 million for the Foreign Credential Recognition Support for Labour Market Needs in Saskatchewan project.
Through the federal government's Foreign Credential Recognition program, SIAST will establish a system for verifying that credentials and job experience obtained abroad are equal to established Canadian standards. Immigrants will be able to obtain their certification before coming to Canada. The project will be piloted in Saskatchewan and target prospective immigrants from the Ukraine, the Philippines and Vietnam with skills and experience in the mechanical trades (welding, heavy duty equipment, and agricultural machinery).
"With funding from the government of Canada, this program will allow SIAST to help employers meet high-demand labour needs through the recruitment of qualified foreign workers," says Dr. Robert G. McCulloch, president and Chief Executive Officer of SIAST "The program leverages our expertise in credential assessment and our international partnerships in support of Saskatchewan's immigration goals."
The Foreign Credential Recognition program plays a vital role in helping to meet the Government of Canada's commitment to creating a strong economy for all Canadians. Through its Advantage Canada plan, the Government is building on Canada's strengths and gaining a global competitive advantage by reducing taxes for all Canadians, increasing competition in the marketplace, and building modern infrastructure.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
Visit the new Human Resources and Social Development Canada Web site at www.hrsdc.gc.ca.
For more information (media only):
Lesley Harmer
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Solberg
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
