Enterprise Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Labour Market Commission was a corporation created under provincial legislation in 2007 to bring business and labour representatives together to provide advice to government on closing labour market supply and demand gaps. Due to budget restraints, the corporation was wound down in 2009. A new Labour Market Strategic Issues Council reporting to the Enterprise Saskatchewan Board will be established in place of the commission to provide advice on labour market issues.

While in operation, the commission oversaw the following initiatives:

The Workplace Essential Skills (WES) project developed, in partnership with the Saskatchewan construction industry, a comprehensive set of resources to assist workplaces in learning about and implementing WES training as a component of their training and development strategies. Although the Tool Kit was developed with the construction industry, it is broad enough to use in other industries and sectors with little adjustment. The Tool Kit will assist workplaces no matter what stage they are at – development through implementation and evaluation.

The Workplace Essential Skills (WES) project was completed on June 30, 2009, and was funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

Please see www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/essential_skills/general/home.shtml for more information.

The Aboriginal Participation and Upskilling Initiative (APUI) project will increase the productivity of Saskatchewan businesses by strengthening the skills of their Aboriginal employees. It will help employers train and retain Aboriginal employees and help Aboriginal workers increase their skill sets and advance in the workplace. As an additional support, APUI will create a web-based tool that will include an Employer Supports Toolkit including “best in class” tools for Aboriginal recruitment, advancement and retention strategies and a means of outreach to Aboriginal people interested in upgrading and upskilling.

The Aboriginal Participation and Upskilling Initiative (APUI) project is funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, in partnership with SaskLMC and the Saskatchewan Ministry of First Nations and Métis Relations.

Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies has taken over the project for SaskLMC as of July 1, 2009.

Please see www.leclairinfo.com/Sasklmc/home.php for more information.

The Training for Excellence Awards were established in 1995 with the intent to encourage and reward the ongoing pursuit of excellence in Saskatchewan’s training sector. Since the program was launched, over 100 organizations and partnerships have been recognized and presented with awards.

The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is presenting a new award for Training Excellence at its annual Achievement for Business Excellence Awards (ABEX) Gala. The ABEX Training Excellence award is given to a business demonstrating an ongoing commitment to training staff in Saskatchewan.

Please see www.saskchamber.com for more information.