REGINA — Immigration and Career Training and Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison, is leading a delegation to the United Kingdom (UK) and Poland.
The mission's focus is on expanding opportunities in agriculture, critical minerals, innovative technology, immigration and talent attraction, according to the Ministry of Trade and Export Development.
The UK stop includes an event with the Critical Minerals Association, which will showcase Saskatchewan's capabilities in critical minerals, with a particular focus on the Saskatchewan Research Council's (SRC) experience in rare earth processing.
"Saskatchewan Research Council is currently developing North America's first fully integrated Rare Earth Element Processing Facility that will support Saskatchewan's bid to become a leading-edge rare earth element hub," SRC President and CEO Mike Crabtree said.
"As the world looks to secure access to critical minerals essential for telecommunications, computing and clean energy, Saskatchewan is well-positioned to meet these demands. This mission is critical to finding the necessary global collaborators to move this key strategic priority forward."
A number of Saskatchewan businesses are also attending the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit and join Cultivator and Innovate UK at an investor start-ups session.
Minister Jeremy Harrison will then travel to Poland to participate in trade and investment meetings and support an employer-led international recruitment initiative.
A delegation of Saskatchewan employers and the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) will attend a recruitment fair to attract skilled workers for in-demand positions in the province. This will allow the province to provide coordinated settlement services, such as foreign qualification recognition pathways. It will also enhance settlement and retention outcomes by providing personalized, proactive supports to prospective newcomers.
"With food security becoming increasingly important, we need to keep Saskatchewan farmers in the field," Young's Equipment Service Executive Brent Bazin said.
"Young's Equipment is very involved with Saskatchewan's apprenticeship programs but recognizes the ability to fill all the available jobs from within our training system falls short of current needs. We've also used the SINP program for over 20 years as one of many tools for recruitment. We are proud to say that we have several long-term employees who are now Canadian citizens, permanently settled and raising families in Saskatchewan. Our hope is to find others in Poland that will yield the same results."
The delegation left Saskatchewan on Sept. 23 and will return on Sept. 30.
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