Mr. Speaker, last year the GNWT implemented a series of government-wide initiatives known as Maximizing Northern Employment to address the need for strategic investment in training and employment for Northwest Territories residents. We funded this initiative with a $6.5 million investment, in addition to our existing training and employment programs. We are pleased to announce that for 2002-2003, all current initiatives will continue with an investment of $7.3 million.
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We want Northwest Territories residents to have the skills, knowledge and opportunity to participate fully in the northern economy. Maximizing Northern Employment initiatives are intended to address the real life challenges Northwest Territories residents, business and industry each confront in their efforts to contribute to the growing Northwest Territories economy.
Our efforts have already proven successful. Last summer, the Northern Student Program helped 342 students find summer jobs with the GNWT. These jobs provided students with work experience that can help them obtain full-time work after graduation.
The Northern Graduate Program and the Graduate Transition Program provide full-time work for recent post-secondary graduates in their field of study. Right now, 53 graduates are working in intern positions with the GNWT and the private sector. In addition, 16 graduate teachers and one social worker have obtained work through the Northern Graduate Program. Five northern teachers have been granted education leave to work toward the completion of their teaching degree as well.
The Maximizing Northern Employment Program has allowed us to enhance the Nurse Mentorship Program and to develop a Social Work Mentorship Program. These support programs are necessary given the demands placed on new graduates, especially those working in more isolated communities. During the past year, 18 graduate nurses accessed this program and the number will be increased in the coming year.
The growth in our economy has created great demand for skilled trades-people. We are responding to that demand by significantly increasing opportunities for Northwest Territories residents to acquire new skills or to upgrade existing skills. Almost 300 participants have participated in 14 new training programs. The Drill Rig Training Program alone has put 64 people from across the North through the 18-day on-site training program last summer.
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Some of the Maximizing Northern Employment programs will be funded through the Aboriginal Government/Private Sector Partnership Fund. The fund is designed to encourage GNWT partnerships with Aboriginal economic organizations and the private sector to recruit and develop a northern workforce. This year, 31 Northwest Territories businesses are sharing more than $1.1 million to provide job training to more than 200 people.
Student success centres at Aurora College campuses in Yellowknife and Fort Smith are operational and a centre is planned for the Inuvik campus. The centres will help students be successful in their studies by providing a range of supports, including tutoring, career mentoring and personal counselling services.
As well, our goal of a northern teaching force is being helped by an expansion of the Teacher Education Program to the three campuses in Inuvik, Fort Smith and Yellowknife, and plans to introduce a Bachelor of Education Program. This increased investment made it possible for 63 full-time and five part-time students to enrol in the Teacher Education Program this year.