Increasing Native Workforce High Priority: Norris

Increasing Native Workforce High Priority: Norris

Wednesday, July 09, 2008 at 14:35

Getting First Nations and Metis people into the workforce is the primary goal of a three-pronged approach by the provincial government to tackle the labour shortage in Saskatchewan.

That was the message Saskatchewan Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris brought to a Battlefords Chamber of Commerce luncheon yesterday.

Norris says the province is also trying to involve ex-pats and immigrants in its strategy, but he insists his government will “focus first and foremost” on how the Aboriginal population can be further activated.

However, in order for Aboriginal people to get jobs, Norris says they need help with education — especially literacy — as well as with transportation and child care.

He says he is meeting with First Nations and educational institutions to get advice on the best way to tackle those problems.