A new agreement under the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) program is set to create 104 long-term, sustainable employment opportunities in Saskatchewan and Alberta's agriculture industry.
"Canada's Economic Action Plan is making a difference by ensuring that Aboriginal people have the training and skills development they need to fully share in economic opportunities," said Ed Kormarnicki, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. "This project will help accomplish this by providing training opportunities for up to 130 Aboriginal people, leading to 104 long-term jobs in the Saskatchewan and Alberta agriculture industry."
The Inroads to Agriculture Institute is a $5.09 million partnership between the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, One Earth Farms Corporation, First Nations and training institutes. Under the program, First Nations and Métis learners will receive vital training, certification and job placement support to advance in the agriculture and agri-services sectors.
"Having First Nations and Métis people fully engaged in Saskatchewan's economy is vital to all of Saskatchewan," Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said. "This is the fourth ASEP project for Saskatchewan. It is a proven platform for co-operation between government, First Nations and Métis people, the training sector and industry, and we are pleased to join our partners in creating these new opportunities."
Contributions to the Inroads to Agriculture Institute program include the following cash and in-kind: Government of Canada: $2.08 million; Government of Saskatchewan: $595,000; One Earth Farms Corporation: $990,000; and Other stakeholders (including First Nations, industry partners and training institutes): $1.43 million.
"One Earth Farms is excited about the prospect of employing individuals who have an opportunity to gain practical agricultural training through the ASEP program," One Earth Farms CEO Larry Ruud said.
The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership is a nationally managed program that provides Aboriginal people with the skills they need to participate in economic opportunities such as agriculture, northern mining, oil and gas, and hydro development projects across Canada. ASEP's overall objective is sustainable employment for Aboriginal people in major economic industries, leading to lasting benefits for Aboriginal communities, families and individuals.
