Over the past two days, teachers piloting our skilled trades high school courses have received training in occupational health and safety. A two-day workshop was made available through the Workplace Health and Safety Compensation Commission to make sure the skilled trades suites are safe and secure areas to learn.

The departments of Education, and Human Resources, Labour and Employment are investing $30,000 to ensure all 50 pilot teachers receive this important training. These sessions build on first aid training the teachers completed in February of this year. In fact, combined with the $100,000 already invested for extensive professional development, these teachers are well-equipped to safely deliver these innovative courses.

Over the past several years, government has invested $4 million in our Futures in Skilled Trades and Technology program for high schools. It is the first time since 1982 that any government has invested this kind of funding in skilled trades programming, and we believe it will open the world of skilled trades to our young people. Budget 2007 provided an additional $1.5 million which will be used primarily to purchase the same equipment and quality resources that are used on job sites.

Since first announcing details of this program in 2005, the number of pilot schools has increased. In September of this year, the pilot will expand to 37 schools, from the original 25. There is a tremendous level of interest among teachers, administrators and students. It is our hope that with more students exposed to this type of training, more will give serious consideration to a career in the skilled trades.

We know that in the coming years there will be increased opportunities in the area of skilled trades. We need a highly qualified workforce to meet current and future demands.

Budget 2007 also committed $2.8 million to improve our skills training and apprenticeship system. This includes $660,000 to expand post-secondary programming in skilled trades and technology offerings at College of the North Atlantic.

In addition, government established the Skills Task Force to recommend ways to address skill shortages in the province. I anticipate the release of the report of the task force in the coming days.

Our Futures in Skilled Trades and Technology program is exciting. It�s relevant. Students are embracing it. This program, combined with our initiatives to build a stronger training and apprenticeship system, will allow students to look forward to a lucrative career here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

2007 05 09                                           2:25 p.m.