The Government of Saskatchewan’s last budget before this fall’s provincial election delivered positive news for the Association of Maintenance Contractors of Canada (AMCC) and our industry partners to meet the growing labour market needs.

Saskatchewan is experiencing record levels of capital investment. As the provincial economy continues to thrive, the government recently released their new labour market strategy called “Building the Workforce for a Growing Economy.”

The number one challenge employers told the government is developing a labour force that maintains pace with the opportunities that economic success is creating. So, the new labourmarket strategy is focused on three key themes 

• Preparing Saskatchewan people for jobs
• Recognizing skills (credentials)
• International recruitment

Budget 2024 includes several investments into Saskatchewan's labour force to reach the province’s ambitious Growth Plan goal of adding 100,000 jobs by 2030. The budget included additional financial support for developing and increasing workforce programs, increasing apprentice seats, expanding credential recognition and the province’s Immigrant Nominee program.

Among the specific highlights are:

• An increase of $1.5 million to support the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission to add 250 apprentice training seats for construction-related trades
• The total investment in apprenticeship training amounts to $22.9 million and will increase the total number of training seats to 4,850
• Making investments to ensure newcomers to the province, whether they move here from across Canada or the world, can work in the regulated occupations they are trained in
• Saskatchewan's Credential Recognition Services will ensure that individuals who have obtained credentials elsewhere can integrate into the labour force. This includes forming partnerships with regulatory bodies to streamline pathways for credential recognition in Saskatchewan
• An increase of $856,000 to support a record-high allocation of 8,000 nominations through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, helping directly address the labour needs of Saskatchewan employers. The ministry will also enhance program integrity services within the program, safeguarding its quality
• Funding for workforce development programs that support unemployed and underemployed people, including:
  • $24.1 million for adult essential skills training
  • $23.0 million for pre-employment programs and services
  • 21.8 million for credentialled skills training programs delivered through post-secondary institutions 
  • $9.9 million to support employment for persons with disabilities

Budget 2024 highlights how critical our industry – and our skilled labour workforce – is to the future well-being of the province. AMCC members are proud to play their part in maintaining the economic and population growth of Saskatchewan. We look forward to meeting our members in Saskatchewan on April 3 to discuss how we can work with the Saskatchewan government on meeting their labour market goals.