Training provides skilled workers for northern businesses

by Michael Fink
WD Communications, Saskatoon

Two training programs, funded through the Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement, are increasing the number of skilled workers and helping small businesses in the North meet the demands of a growing economy.

The five-year, $20 million agreement between WD and the Province of Saskatchewan, in cooperation with representatives of northern communities, is improving regional economic infrastructure, employment prospects, educational and business expertise. It will also increase research and industry innovation, and improve the region's ability to attract business investment.

Ready-to-Work in tourism

The Ready-to-Work Tourism Careers program in La Ronge, Creighton, Stony Rapids and Beauval is helping to meet the demand for qualified front-line staff in Saskatchewan's rapidly-growing $1.4 billion tourism industry.

The program, managed by the Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council on behalf of the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council, gives young northerners both the knowledge and the hands-on experience to succeed.

Participants begin with seven to eight weeks of classes followed by four weeks of skills training. Once training is complete, participants enter the workforce, with a coach/mentor monitoring their performance for a minimum of 20 weeks and providing tips on how to succeed on the job. Organizers are targeting an 80 per cent employment rate among graduates. Already, of the 18 students who completed classroom and workplace training in La Ronge, 16 are employed.

For more information, contact the Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council at 1 800 331-1529 or visit http://www.stec.com/.

Childcare workers in demand

A program offered by Northlands College is helping to meet the need for qualified childcare workers in Saskatchewan. New provincial regulations, requiring 20 per cent of full-time workers at childcare facilities to have diplomas, have increased the demand province-wide.

The First Nations Childcare Diploma program gives childcare workers and students the opportunity to earn a professional qualification, making it easier to find employment after graduation.

"It was already a priority for the community to train professional childcare workers," explains Peter Mayotte, Regional Director for the central region of Northlands College. "The legislation puts it [the training] to a higher priority."

For more information, contact Northlands College in Air Ronge at 1 888 311-1185.