More than $1
million to create jobs and expand aviation capacity for
communities in the Athabasca Basin region and across
Saskatchewan
STONY
RAPIDS, SK, Aug. 1, 2024
/CNW/ - Canada's vast geography
means that air transport plays an essential role in linking
communities together. In northern communities especially, the only
year-round access is often by air. The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are supporting the province's
aviation industry by investing in a program to offer commercial
pilot training that will assist candidates from northern
communities to build successful careers in aviation while making a
positive impact on air service in their region.
Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan, and
Athabasca MLA Jim Lemaigre on behalf of Saskatchewan Immigration
and Career Training Minister Jeremy
Harrison, announced a joint investment of $1,006,500 to assist the Ya'thi Néné Land and
Resource Office in delivering commercial pilot training to
Indigenous residents of Northern
Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan's mining and
energy sectors play an important role in the growth of the
provincial economy, and air transportation is crucial to support
Northern mining operations. This program will help improve
accessibility to the North and remote communities, while creating
growth in this region of the province and increasing Indigenous
employment in the aviation sector.
This project, called the Dziret'ái Pilot Training Program, will
provide skills and academic upgrading to 15 student applicants, 10
of whom will be selected to enter the professional pilot training
program to start in January 2025.
Students who complete the 2-year program will be guaranteed jobs
with Rise Air as First Officers.
The investments from PrairiesCan ($631,500) and the Saskatchewan Ministry of
Immigration and Career Training ($375,000) will leverage industry cash and
in-kind contributions and funding from Prince Albert Grand Council ($315,000), Cameco ($200,000), Orano Canada ($50,000), SSR Mining ($50,000), Rise Air ($690,000) and Ya'thi Néné ($100,000).
Quotes
"Our government is supporting the growth of the Indigenous
workforce in the Athabasca Basin,"
said the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan. "This
collaboration will result in new opportunities for local people to
train as commercial pilots and help the industry grow, while at the
same time, providing employers with a workforce from the region and
supporting strong and resilient communities with more good
jobs."
-
The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for
PrairiesCan
"Air transportation is essential for connecting remote and
northern communities and supporting our growing economy. With
growing demand of airline pilots there is a critical need to
support the training and development of pilots," said Immigration
and Career Training Minister Jeremy
Harrison. "We are proud to invest in this pathway for local
Indigenous pilots from the Athabasca region to serve their communities
and facilitate economic growth in our province."
- The Honourable Jeremy
Harrison, Minister for Immigration and Career
Training,
Government of Saskatchewan
"We are thrilled to launch the Dziret'ái Pilot Training Program,
which reaffirms our commitment to partnerships and collaboration,"
says Mary Denechezhe, YNLR Board
Chair. "This program not only empowers our community members but
also echoes our mission to foster sustainable development and
opportunities in the Athabasca
Basin. Together with our partners, we are creating pathways to
success for Indigenous residents and women, ensuring they have the
support and resources they need to thrive in the aviation
industry."
-
Mary Denechezhe, Chair of the
Board of Directors, Ya'Thi Néné Lands and Resources
Quick facts
- PrairiesCan is the federal department that diversifies the
economy across the Canadian Prairies. PrairiesCan leads in building
a strong, competitive Canadian economy by supporting business,
innovation, and community economic development unique to
Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
- The Government of Saskatchewan's Ministry of Immigration and
Career Training works directly with Indigenous organizations and
communities to identify opportunities and pathways that help
increase Indigenous participation in the economy.
- This investment supports the Government of Saskatchewan's recently
released Building the Workforce for a Growing Economy: the
Saskatchewan Labour Market Strategy. In the strategy the
province outlines how it is ensuring Saskatchewan has the labour force needed to
meet employer demand and ensure that Saskatchewan people have the first opportunity
to benefit from the province's growing economy.
Associated links
- Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)
- Funding and support for Indigenous-led businesses and
organizations (PrairiesCan)
- Dziret'ái Pilot Training Program
- Rise Air
Stay connected
Follow
PrairiesCan on Twitter and LinkedIn
Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-9378
TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired):
1-877-303-3388
SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada