CLAVET—Kelly Panteluk knows the importance of the Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program, since their family-owned construction business, KP Construction Ltd., was among those that benefited from it. Theirs is a second-generation company founded in 1953.
Panteluk, who is of Ukrainian descent, spoke briefly as they hosted Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff to tour their maintenance facility outside the city on Friday, Aug. 8, as the Saskatoon Willowgrove MLA highlighted the government’s job and unemployment rates.
He said that the SINP helped build Saskatchewan’s labour force, and that they used it to employ skilled workers from Ukraine who were displaced by Russia’s invasion and ongoing war, as they rebuild their lives in the province.
“The SINP gave us a passport to connect with individuals who were eager to contribute and join our mission of building today for tomorrow. I'm glad to have that opportunity and help them become part of Saskatchewan,” said Panteluk
“Over the years, it [SINP] has been a reliable program that has helped us turn temporary gaps into long-term solutions, supporting permanent residency and stability for several of our employees,”
Panteluk added that they look forward to continuing to do their share of building a robust labour force in Saskatchewan that will create vital infrastructure and connect communities in the province, while strengthening businesses like theirs.
“As a business with roots going back over 70 years, we’re proud to be part of a province that looks for ways to help businesses and workers thrive. One of the key programs that continues to support our operations is the SINP,” he said.
“It's important to highlight the ongoing support of Saskatchewan's workforce and economic development. Over the last 18 years, Saskatchewan’s resilient and sustainable economic development has enabled business owners to build their workforces.”
Panteluk said their company has expanded to over 300 employees, through the SINP, which allowed them to develop their operations, finding and retaining the skilled labourers they need to fill critical roles.
“Our company participated in some of the first international recruitment missions, I don't know, in 2012 and 2013. Many of those who initially immigrated are still working for us and are residents of Saskatchewan now,” he added.
