Seven Sask. colleges sign on to aboriginal agreement

Seven regional colleges have signed on as partners with the Saskatchewan government in aboriginal employment development.The government says in a news release that the signing is unprecedented in terms of the number of educational institutions coming together to increase First Nations and Metis employment. Signing the partnership agreement Thursday were Carlton Trail Regional College, Cumberland College, Great Plains College, Northlands College, North West Regional College, Parkland College and Southeast Regional College.

First Nations Minister June Draude says having the colleges come on board "is important to the growing success" of aboriginal employment development. She said as employers, they will work to open their institutions to more First Nations and Metis employees and First Nations and Metis suppliers of goods and services.

As training centres of excellence they will develop the targeted training that will graduate people with the skills needed to help keep Saskatchewan’s economy growing.

The aboriginal employment development initiative is focused on bringing the under-trained and largely untapped First Nations and Metis workforce into play. Through workplace audits, existing employers and union partners will identify jobs into the future that will need trained employees.

Educational institutions can then develop and offer programs to give First Nations and Metis people the skills they need to compete successfully for the open positions.

-with a report from CP