Skilled Trade and Technology Week Proclaimed in Saskatchewan

Released on November 6, 2023

Skilled Trade and Technology Week in Saskatchewan kicked off Sunday, November 5, and will run until Saturday, November 11. The week, proclaimed by the Government of Saskatchewan and supported by Skills Canada Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC), promotes career opportunities in the skilled trade and technology sectors, and aligns with National Skilled and Technology Week, proclaimed by Skills/Compétences Canada. 

"Saskatchewan is a fantastic place to build your career in the skilled trade and technology sectors," Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to supporting careers in these high-demand sectors by expanding skilled trades and apprenticeship training by more than 400 seats across the province in 2023-24." 

To celebrate the week, Skills Canada Saskatchewan is hosting a networking breakfast, followed by a skills fair, Tuesday, November 7, at Campus Regina Public. Middle years and high school students have been invited to learn about the post-secondary and career opportunities available in these fields. 

"Promoting careers in the skilled trade and technology sectors to young people is incredibly important," Skills Canada Saskatchewan Executive Director Jayden Leister said. "We ensure youth have access to hands-on experiences, so they have the tools and knowledge to make informed choices regarding their future careers." 

To promote opportunities in the sectors, educators can connect with Skills Canada Saskatchewan to host Trade and Tech Days at their school; invite apprentices, journeypersons and other industry representatives into their classrooms to deliver presentations; or administer the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) program. 

Developed and overseen by the SATCC, SYA enhances students' understanding of apprenticeship and careers in the skilled trades through 12 activities, including researching and writing a report on a designated trade; interviewing a journeyperson; and attending a career fair. Students who register as apprentices in Saskatchewan within five years of program completion receive 300 trade time hours and the waiver of their apprenticeship registration fee and Level 1 technical training tuition. 

"Saskatchewan is full of opportunities and employers are looking for enthusiastic employees," SATCC CEO Jeff Ritter said. "The skilled trades offer many possibilities for youth and the SATCC is committed to helping them reach their career goals through the SYA program."

Skills Canada Saskatchewan is a provincial non-profit organization affiliated with Skills/Compétences Canada. The organization promotes careers in the skilled trade and technology sectors to Saskatchewan's youth and hosts the annual Skills Canada Saskatchewan competition, which sees participants showcase their skills to compete for medals and a chance to represent the province at the Skills Canada National competition. Skills Canada Saskatchewan also delivers programming, such as trade exploration workshops and skills camps, across the province. To learn more about Skills Canada Saskatchewan, visit skillscanadasask.com. 

The SATCC oversees and administers the apprenticeship and trade certification system in Saskatchewan. The SATCC trains apprentices; certifies apprentices and tradespeople; regulates the apprenticeship system of training and promotes apprenticeship. For more information about apprenticeship and the skilled trades, visit saskapprenticeship.ca.

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