A question was posed on The Carlyle Observer Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CarlyleObserver) asking, why do young people choose to stay in Saskatchewan? Essentially in today's society young adults have many opportunities around the world and some have wondered why young people stay in Saskatchewan or return to the province after time away.
A variety of young adults both from the area and from elsewhere in the province were asked about their reasons for either staying in Saskatchewan or for returning to the province after working or going to school out of province.
Out of these young people ranging between the ages of 19 to 28 the most common answer was that Saskatchewan is home. Though they have either gone to school outside of the province or have worked elsewhere, they decided Saskatchewan is where their roots are and the opportunities available here are currently just as good, if not better than anywhere else in the world.
The majority of these individuals questioned grew up in small towns across the province, however, they have left for the big cities of Saskatoon or Regina as places of residence within the province; though, some did decide to remain closer to their small town homes.
The opportunities in Saskatchewan right now, which are then coupled with the Government of Saskatchewan's aggressive initiative in retaining young adults with the Graduate Retention Program has made an impact in the decision to stay or return to the province. The economy is currently growing and Saskatchewan is thriving.
In a press release from Dec. 18, 2012, Premier Brad Wall stated, "Growth means more jobs and opportunities for Saskatchewan people."
"It means more and more young people are choosing to stay in Saskatchewan after they finish their education instead of moving elsewhere."
The Graduate Retention Program was essentially designed as both an incentive to post-secondary graduates to remain or return to the province as well as a way to meet employers' needs in Saskatchewan.
When the expansion of the program was announced in Oct. 30, 2008, the Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris explained, "This expansion signals to post-secondary graduates from across the country, and beyond, that Saskatchewan is the best place to establish their careers and pursue their goals."
For Mackenzie Garrett, a 25-year-old Registered Nurse, the decision came after attending school and living in various areas of Alberta to come back to Saskatchewan. Though prompted by the ending of a relationship, her decision of where to go next landed her where many friends and family were located, a place that would always be home, Saskatchewan. Not only would she be closer to those she loved; but, the province was able to offer her the career path she had desired.
"I love traveling around the world and experiencing all there is out there, but in terms of actually living in these places, most for an RN, pay less, have a narrower scope of practice... and come with huge licensing fees I'd have to pay myself. In Saskatoon, the health region pays mine," she explained, "So, I'd rather just live here and travel the world!"
Agreed upon by many of those asked are the Saskatchewan summers. Though the winter's can be harsh and make them consider leaving, a 22-year-old carpenter's apprentice Matt Gartner, is willing to tough it out because, "Nothing makes me happier than hitting the water with my friends or catching fish in the many great lakes that we have in our province..." Making the most during the winter in order to experience a Saskatchewan summer is worth it to many.
Laura Olsen, 21-year-old lab and x-ray technician explained that she had thought about possibly leaving the province for some time to work in British Columbia; but, she knew that anything she took for a job on the coast would have to be short lived because in her heart this is where she is meant to be.
"I belong in Saskatchewan. I love everything that is here: the open prairie, the people, the sky! I love small towns and agriculture. I just can't see myself living anywhere else, I don't think it would be as peaceful or feel like home," Olsen explained, "I want to raise a family in Saskatchewan, so my children can grow up with the same good roots!"
Essentially young people, though opportunities are open to them around the world, have found those available in their home province are extremely competitive to opportunities elsewhere. This is aided by a competitive cost of living and a relatively high average of weekly wages.
Having friends and family in the area is a major draw for young people; but, ultimately the feeling of being home coupled with the budding economy that has created an abundance of opportunities in Saskatchewan has led to a larger number remaining in the province.
Carroll Brownridge, a 28-year-old tattoo artist, explains that he was able to get experience working for others while in British Columbia; but, as the oil field developed in southeastern Saskatchewan he decided to return as he could make a self-owned business viable here.
"Sask has always felt like home to me and with the oil boom around here and plenty of work for people I knew a good tattoo shop would work out well here. Also the majority of my family is still here and they have always supported me and believed in what I was doing. It just made the move back that much easier. Without their support and encouragement I wouldn't have been able to do what I am doing today. Family is the most important thing in the world to me and that's what keeps me here now."
On Oct. 16, 2012, the Government of Saskatchewan released the "Saskatchewan Plan for Growth: Vision 2020 and Beyond," which can be found at www.saskplanforgrowth.com. In it are interesting figures collected throughout the past few years.
The statistics presented show employment growth of 4.3 percent, an increase of average weekly wages growing 4.1 percent, and a positive reflection of a growing Saskatchewan through housing starts at an increase of almost 90% between 2006 and 2011.
This growth in economics and opportunities has led to young people staying in the province or returning to Saskatchewan after leaving in earlier years. Saskatchewan had a large net migration from the province. In 1991 it was recorded that Saskatchewan had a population of 1,002,713, which reached a record low in 2006 with 992,122 people.
Today Saskatchewan has been able to both retain more young people from the province and attract many who had left back, while also appealing to others who were not raised in the province. Saskatchewan is currently going through the biggest population boom since Stats Canada began keeping track in 1921 strongly because of these reasons prompted mainly by the increased opportunities at home.
