The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Brian Warr, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development:

Mr. Speaker, this morning I joined Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador for the launch of National Skilled Trades and Technology Week. This annual event celebrates the success of skilled workers while promoting careers in skilled trades and technology as first-choice options for our youth.

To that end Mr. Speaker our government has provided $178,000 to Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador to offer a new program called Skilled Futures.

Skilled Futures features a series of interactive workshops for intermediate and secondary students, offering them hands-on experience, connections with mentors, and information on specific post-secondary programs. It is also placing a focus on a wide variety of sectors such as Health Sciences, Paramedicine, Aviation and Agriculture and Forestry.

Mr. Speaker, Skilled Futures is offered province-wide and is part of our focus under the Education Action Plan on Career and Co-operative Education. Through this program we are promoting a whole-school approach to exploring career education through experiential learning in communities.

I invite my honourable colleagues to join me in wishing Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador a successful Skilled Trades and Technology Week and to encourage students to participate in the new Skilled Futures Program.

Thank you.