On Thursday, the Government of Saskatchewan announced the signing of Canada’s first provincial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Republic of the Phil
Prince Albert Daily Herald
The provincial government announced roughly $13-million in funding for Saskatchewan Polytechinic and the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) on Tuesday.
The funds will allow both institutions to engage under-represented groups, create jobs in long-term care, and increase the number of apprentices in Saskatchewan.
Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison touted the funding as a way to improve the province’s workforce.
“Saskatchewan’s greatest resource has always been its people,” Harrison said in a media release. “This funding supports the provincial Growth Plan priority to develop a skilled workforce in our province through education and training.”
Beginning in the fall of 2021, Saskatchewan Polytechnic s two-year registered veterinary technologist program will give students the opportunity to begin their studies remotely and complete the program at a partnering clinical practice with local veterinarians in rural areas. This program is important to addressing a labour market shortage in rural Saskatchewan, Makowsky said. We are pleased to work alongside Saskatchewan Polytechnic to ensure we are able to meet the growing demand now and into the future. In 2021-22, the Ministry of Advanced Education is providing $687,000 for development and operating costs. In addition, veterinarians and veterinary technologists who work in rural and remote communities for up to five years, will have up to $20,000 of their Saskatchewan Student Loans forgiven.
Advanced Education Minister Gene Makowsky and Agriculture Minister David Marit are announcing a number of initiatives to enhance the availability of veterinary services in rural Saskatchewan. These include the development of a new virtual option to train registered veterinary technologists in rural and remote Saskatchewan, as well as a loan forgiveness program that will be offered to new graduates who practice in rural or remote areas of the province. Beginning in the fall of 2021, Saskatchewan Polytechnic s two-year registered veterinary technologist program will give students the opportunity to begin their studies remotely and complete the program at a partnering clinical practice with local veterinarians in rural areas.