News Release
December 4, 2006
Advanced Education and Employment - 870
SIAST TO UPGRADE EQUIPMENT AND EXPAND TRAINING CAPACITY
As a result of the Province's recent $52.6 million training announcement, Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) will be making some significant equipment upgrades and increasing training opportunities, for total improvements worth $6.9 million. SIAST Kelsey Campus in Saskatoon will invest $1.32 million to replace the boiler in the Power Engineering Lab and $1.05 million to upgrade equipment in the Industrial Mechanics programs. These upgrades ensure that SIAST students have the competitive advantage of being trained on the up-to-date equipment they will use when working in modern industry. SIAST Wascana in Regina will invest more than $1 million to develop an inter-professional health simulation lab. This will allow students to practice real life situations in a controlled environment. "The Government of Saskatchewan is creating opportunities for Saskatchewan youth to live, work and play, right here in Saskatchewan," Advanced Education and Employment Minister Pat Atkinson said. "We are delivering on a commitment to work together with our technical schools to develop more skilled workers for our province's booming economy." "This injection of mid-year funding will enable us to further increase enrolment at SIAST," SIAST president and CEO Dr. Bob McCulloch said. "That's good news for both students and employers." SIAST Kelsey will now deliver a Practical Nursing program in Saskatoon, which will provide an additional 70 practical nursing opportunities. The campus will also deliver 24 new electrician training opportunities in Saskatoon. SIAST will provide 694 additional basic education opportunities, including evening tuition-free academic upgrading courses across its four campuses. The recent $52.6 million training investment is the greatest investment in training in the Province's history.-30-
For More Information, Contact:
| Chris Jones-Bonk Advanced Education and Employment Regina Phone: 306-798-3106 Email: cjonesbonk@sasked.gov.sk.ca |