With an investment of $750,000 in Budget 2008, we plan to expand the Futures in Skilled Trades and Technology high school program to an additional 35 schools across the province. State-of-the-art equipment is now being shipped to these schools, ready to be used for the new school year.

We all know that there is an increasing demand for skilled labour to meet the needs associated with the many large-scale development projects on the province�s horizon. This dynamic program exposes students to the skilled trades using the same caliber of equipment that is found on job-sites across the country. With our investment in this year�s budget, more schools can renovate their space to accommodate the new equipment and courses and ultimately, increase opportunities to more students.

The Futures in Skilled Trades and Technology program is currently offered in 37 high schools. Four new courses have been developed, with the goal of eight new courses to be implemented province-wide by 2010. These courses are supported with industrial equipment such as computer-controlled routers and lathes, sliding compound mitre saws and a wide variety of power tools. Courses engage students in a variety of activities associated with technology and skilled trades � from simple construction and small engine repair, to the design and development of control programs using computers and robotics.

Special measures are also being made to raise awareness about the opportunities in the skilled trades among female students. Last fall, we launched the campaign Jump Start Your Life, designed to show young women that a career in the skilled trades is exciting and lucrative, while at the same time, demands creativity and skill.

Over the past two years, government has allocated an unprecedented $53.8 million in the areas of apprenticeship, science and technology, programming, training and infrastructure. These investments have funded new programs at College of the North Atlantic, improved infrastructure and learning resources, and effectively doubled the number of seats in trades-related programs at campuses throughout the province.

Building our province�s skills base is critical if we are to be competitive in the global marketplace. These investments are ensuring we have a strong, responsive education system. A career in the skilled trades offers enormous opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador. With more students having access to the skilled trades program in high school, we look forward to increased participation in post-secondary skilled training.

2008 06 04                                                  2:15 p.m.