October 16, 2009
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre Inc. (STSC) will strengthen economic opportunities in Saskatchewan through the construction of a new training facility for trades-people. The announcement was made by Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon - Rosetown - Biggar, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable Rob Norris, Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour.
“Our Government is taking action to ensure our communities emerge from this challenging time more prosperous and stronger than ever,” said MP Block. “Today’s announcement will equip our youth with valuable skills, assist trade sectors in Saskatchewan to meet labour shortages and act to improve our region’s economic growth.”
“The provincial government is working to build a vibrant, skilled, creative workforce for Saskatchewan,” said Minister Norris. “The funding being provided for these construction projects will provide more training opportunities for our students to develop the skills they need to excel in the workforce.”
A partnership organization between educational institutes, First Nations and Métis organizations, as well as public and private sectors in Saskatchewan, STSC offers programs for students over 18 to move directly to the work world. STSC will design, construct and equip a 780 square-metre educational training facility for trades in Saskatoon, supporting mining, manufacturing and construction sectors.
Federal funding of $3,298,000 is being provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF), with additional funding of $366,444 provided by the Province of Saskatchewan.
“The contributions of the two levels of government promise to make the shared educational facility at the Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre / Mount Royal Collegiate a centre of excellence for trades and skills training for many years,” said George Rathwell, Board Chair for STSC and Director of Education for Saskatoon Public Schools. “In addition to the “state of the art” industrial arts facilities, the supports for these students in the form of daycare, counseling, career coaching and cultural responsiveness make this a true community centre.”
STSC is striving to provide much needed skilled trades workers to maintain and promote Saskatchewan’s economic growth. The scope of training offered at STSC serves the entire province, growing employment opportunities for individuals in the short and long terms. The long term result of this project will result in training 325 to 350 trades people per year.
The Province of Saskatchewan has already contributed over $18 million in capital funds to complete other aspects of STSC, such as new facilities, cultural centre and day-care.
A part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is a two-year, $1 billion national program that will provide an economic stimulus by supporting projects that create jobs and maintain employment in rural communities.
The fund will provide $306 million over two years to support the most affected western Canadian communities, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource-based industries, for instance forestry, mining, agriculture and fisheries, and communities that depend on the manufacturing industry. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.
Visit the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) in the West or Canada’s Economic Action Plan for more information.
For more information, contact:
Rhonda Shymko
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: (306) 975 -5942
Joy Adams Bauer
Communications Officer
Saskatoon Public Schools
Phone: (306) 683-8325
Marieka Barrie
Communications Consultant
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Telephone: (306) 798-3170
