More Funding For Northern Trades Hopefuls

Friday, January 14, 2005 at 14:59

Two new training projects have been approved under the Northern Development Agreement.

The provincial and federal governments are contributing a combined $249,600 to make it possible for 12 more northern apprentices to get enough work experience to achieve journeyman status.

The money will be made available to eligible employers in the form of apprenticeship wage assistance through the Northern Apprenticeship Committee.

The committee is specifically looking to support apprentices that are trying to become aircraft maintenance engineers, automotive service technicians, carpenters, electricians, heavy-duty mechanics and plumbers.

As well, another $310,800 in funding will be used to support four training programs that will provide employment opportunities for 53 northerners in high-demand industrial development occupations.

Those occupations include construction labourers, cooks, camp services personnel and pre-employment welders.

Northern Development Board Corporation Chair Al Rivard says those are the kinds of positions that are in demand in the oil sands sector in Fort McMurray and at northern Saskatchewan mine sites.

The new training programs will be offered through Northlands College and based in La Loche and Buffalo Narrows.