High school students across the province can have a smoother transition to post-secondary school, and additional opportunities to explore career options before graduating, thanks to a memorandum of understanding signed between Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre.  

Saskatchewan Polytechnic President Dr. Larry Rosia says the five-year agreement, signed on Monday, aims to support mutual program development, expand on-campus career camps, and bolster Saskatchewan’s aging workforce. Rosia says this MOU is a big deal, especially as the federal government looks to bolster Canada’s economy through numerous major projects. 

“The demand for skilled people in this province is huge. The demand across Canada is huge. Construction…for example, by the next decade, there’s going to be over 100,000 people required in that sector alone.”

He adds that the sooner students are introduced to the trades, the better informed they are to make career choices.  

“We can’t afford to have them decide they want to do something, maybe be at the wrong choice, and then waste a few years before they finally decide what they want to get in to. We need people immediately.”

Currently, Sask. Polytech offers on-campus career camps where high school students can try their hand in autobody, mechanics, agriculture technician, parts, and tourism. Sask Polytech President Dr. Larry Rosia says additional programs like this will be explored in the coming years.  

“By signing this MOU, that really opens the door for us to explore all sorts of opportunities, to pilot some programs, to try things new, and to really change the way we’re delivering education in the province.”

Also attending the announcement, Education Minister Everette Hindley adds that the province is ‘cautiously optimistic’ regarding the federal funding announcement of $5.4 billions towards the continuation of $10 a day childcare.  

“There are significant challenges in keeping this program sustainable without significant dollars, so we’ll see what that money actually means for Saskatchewan. We’ll have an opportunity to comment further at that time.”

As of July 1st, the province will start funding childcare providers per space offered, not per child.