The Government of Saskatchewan is committing $13 million in new funding for trade schools in the province, with the aim of growing the workforce in Saskatchewan.

The money will allow Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) to deliver a wide range of education and skills training to create more jobs in in-demand fields.

Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison says the province’s greatest resource is its people and this funding supports the provincial Growth Plan.

“As we emerge from the global pandemic and work to build a strong Saskatchewan, this funding will target training for economic opportunities, promote recruitment and retention of young people, support participation of those currently under-represented in the workface, and continue growing an engaged and inclusive workforce for the future,” said Harrison.

The majority of the money will be split up amongst three new training initiatives at Sask Poly for 2021-22.

A new Supportive Care Assistant program will allow adult learner to explore entry-level positions in health care. A part of the government’s promise to hire an additional 300 continuing care assistants.

The school will also start offering Disability Services Programming for adults with disabilities and Newcomer Services Programming to provide skills and language training for newcomers in Canada.

The remaining funding will go to the SATCC to help them deliver three new initiatives by the end of the 2021-22 fiscal year.

One initiative will provide teaching kits for elementary and high school students to help widen their knowledge of trades.

The other initiatives are a tiny house project to allow Indigenous students to gain experience while working to become a journeyperson, and virtual reality kits allowing youth to explore trades programs.