Released on April 16, 2014
The Government of Saskatchewan has committed $160,000 to support the Regina District Industry Education Council (RDIEC) to provide career development opportunities for youth in Regina and the surrounding area. The RDIEC connects students and employers by providing information, opportunities and training to support smooth transitions for all students, including First Nations and Métis youth both on and off reserve.The Ministry of Education, Ministry of Economy and education sector partners have all contributed to support the RDIEC, which is in its first year of operation.
“Our government is pleased to support industry-education partnerships with school divisions,” Education Minister Don Morgan said. “A highly skilled workforce is essential to support Saskatchewan’s growth, and it is important that we continue to make the connection between education and employment to expand career development opportunities for students.”
This year the RDIEC is focusing on:
- Career Spotlights to highlight trades and professional career paths;
- A Career Connections Program, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Safety Council, which could potentially lead to a Career and Work Exploration credit for Grades 10-12;
- A Summer Apprenticeship Credit Program for Grades 9-11; and
- Summer Skills Camps for Grades 7-9.
“I was very excited to have been asked to join the RDIEC, it is a great opportunity to foster partnerships amongst industry, education, government and the communities to support our youth in their transition to exciting careers, as well as to support our current and future labour needs here in Saskatchewan,” K+S Potash Canada GP Human Resources Advisor and RDIEC board member Stephanie Yandon said. “Many opportunities do exist for youth, and it is a matter of making sure they are aware of what does exist and understand the path that is needed to get them there. One of the RDIEC’s goals is to provide relevant and accessible career guidance and education activities, supports and work-based learning to assist students in making informed decisions to support smooth transitions to post-secondary education and/or meaningful employment.”
“The RDIEC provides a missing link between students and the job market and has been extremely beneficial to students in our school division,” Practical and Applied Arts / Partnerships Consultant Regina Catholic Schools Richard Donnelly said. “Our students have taken part in a number of programs offered this year, from pipefitting to landscape architecture, and we are pleased with what we’ve seen. Given this is only their first year in operation, we are excited to see what’s to come.”
One Indian Head high school student said the Dene Dent Career Spotlight confirmed her career choice to become a dental assistant.
“The Dene Dent Career Spotlight was very well organized and informative,” Indian Head High School Grade 12 student MacKenzie Ayers said. “Dr. Martin and his staff genuinely wanted to provide useful information and insight into the various dental careers, and each staff member shared a description of their role, required education, future job availability and potential salary. We had the opportunity to do some hands on activities which were really neat and also observed a teeth cleaning being done. I highly recommend this career spotlight opportunity to anyone interested in the dental pathway – it was awesome!”
Participating school divisions include Regina Public, Regina Catholic and Prairie Valley, along with the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council. The RDIEC board includes representatives from these partner school divisions and tribal council, as well as other education and industry partners.
For more information on RDIEC visit http://www.rdiec.ca/.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Kelly Johnston
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: kelly.johnston@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506