OREANDA-NEWS. Companies across the province of Saskatchewan are facing major challenges when it comes to filling positions for skilled workers. Education is one of the key elements in developing a sustainable solution to the labor shortage.

“At PotashCorp, we understand that a skilled labor force is key to a sustainable future,” said Lee Knafelc, Vice-President of Human Resources and Administration at PotashCorp. “For communities across Saskatchewan, and companies like ours, a new generation of skilled talent will be needed to fuel growth and prosperity.

In 2012, PotashCorp announced a USD 1.225 million matching gift commitment to support the construction of the new Parkland College Trades and Technology Centre in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. The matching gift campaign wrapped up last week, with Parkland reaching its first fundraising goal. The new centre will offer a host of industrial training programs, graduating up to 350 students per year.

Parkland College is the leading post-secondary education institution in the region, an area which is experiencing unprecedented economic growth and significant skilled labor shortages. The Saskatchewan government projects that the Parkland Region alone requires 1,000 additional skilled laborers per year for at least the next 10 years to meet market demand.

The Parkland College Trades and Technology Centre aims to educate and develop a qualified labor market pool to support business expansion, growth and succession planning. It will house a power engineering lab, a science and technology lab, technology-enhanced classrooms and an industrial trades shop.

“We are a learner-centred organization committed to accessibility, inclusion and diversity,” said Dr. Fay Myers, President, Parkland College. “This facility is an expansion of training to meet the high demand of industry for skilled tradespeople in East-Central Saskatchewan.”

Notably, the college has had great success in engaging rural and First Nations students in the Parkland Region as a result of its satellite programs, online training options and the geographical accessibility of the five campuses spread across the region. “We believe that this centre will be an attractive option for young people who want to learn closer to home,” said Dr. Myers.

Cam Morrison will be teaching in the Power Engineering program at the new centre. “I am very happy to see the Trades and Technology Centre coming to life. Our students will have the opportunity to work in a Power Lab without having to travel long distances. They will have direct access to equipment onsite that they can break down to understand,” said Morrison. “It's a great benefit to the students from our area.”

Dr. Myers credits PotashCorp's contribution for setting the tone for the USD 5 million capital campaign. “The momentum it gave to all of us in the college and the region was amazing - it made all the difference in the success of the campaign and in getting the Trades and Technology Centre going.” Ground will be broken in 2014 with the first classes projected to begin in September 2015.

“The need has never been greater. Regional education is so important when it comes to retention - students that learn in a particular community or region are more likely to stay and get a job and earn there. The province's resources are mostly in rural Saskatchewan - it makes sense to have access to the training in the region. We need to be proactive and develop the skilled workers that are needed right here.”