The Teacher Ambassador Program (TAP), which began as a pilot project at Gonzaga High School in St. John�s, has expanded this year to Mealy Mountain Collegiate, Stephenville High, Exploits Valley High and Mount Pearl Senior High. The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, visited Stephenville High today, and said this is the latest in a series of initiatives designed to increase students� knowledge of skilled trades career opportunities. Through the program, career education and skilled trades teachers spend a day visiting a job site and learning first hand how important skilled trades are to the province.

"We must make every effort to bring information on skilled trades to our high school students," said Minister Burke. "The K-12 education system has an important role to play in ensuring we have the skilled labour force we need for future large-scale development projects. With teachers acting as ambassadors for specific skilled trades, they are able to provide first-hand information directly to the students."

The goal of TAP is to increase teachers� knowledge and understanding of the different skilled trades, and the variety of education and employment opportunities that are anticipated in the future. Teachers begin the program by job shadowing a person working in the skilled trades. They then return to their schools and become ambassadors for the skilled trades, using their experiences to enhance their work with students.

While at the school today, Minister Burke visited a career education class that is benefiting from TAP. Derek Johnson, a teacher ambassador, provided the minister an overview of the program. "The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is entering very exciting times with respect to our economic future," said Mr. Johnson. "This shift is spawning a renewed sense of pride in our communities and in our province in general. It is tremendously rewarding for me as a teacher ambassador to be involved in such an important initiative. We are fortunate to have the Provincial Government take such an active role in educating our youth with regards to future employment opportunities in the area of skilled trades. Having Minister Burke visit our school today and talk with our students speaks volumes about her commitment to the program, and more importantly, to the value placed in our students' future. The continued support of TAP is an important step in forging valuable partnerships with all stakeholders in our province."

The minister also presented certificates of appreciation to the four employers in the Stephenville area who volunteered to be part of the program and bring teachers to their work sites for the day. "Government is making significant investments to provide opportunities for skilled trades training. However industry, business and labour have a role play to ensure we have a workforce that�s ready for future demands of the labour market. I commend all the companies who have volunteered their time to be part of this unique program, the only one of its kind in Canada," said Minister Burke.

Budget 2007 allocated $1.5 million for the high school Futures in Skilled Trades and Technology program. In total, $9.6 million is being invested this year to address immediate needs in the education and apprenticeship systems. "The skills of our people are a vital provincial asset. Skills help businesses achieve productivity, innovation and profitability; and skills help individuals raise their employability and achieve their ambitions. Government wants our people to be ready to compete and participate in emerging opportunities and will continue to invest in learning programs that will lead to a prosperous economy for current and future generations," said Minister Burke.

The Teacher Ambassador Program is a partnership involving the Department of Education, Career Planning and Employment Services, Skills Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador, the Community Career Centre, schools and community partners.

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Media contact:

Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca

2008 02 22                                                    11:15 a.m.