17 April, 2013

SIAST awarded $3.4M CIDA project to enhance business training in Ukraine.

The Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) has been awarded a $3.4 million project in Ukraine funded by the  Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The Skills for Employment Project will enhance business programming in selected schools in Kyiv, Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk.

Over the next three years, the project will transfer Canadian know-how and experience in developing relevant labour market training to support medium and small enterprise development. It is tailored to the needs of participating communities and skills training institutions, providing better services to students and entrepreneurs.

"CIDA is proud to partner with the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology to increase employment and skills training opportunities for students in Ukraine," said the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation.

"Access to quality education and training are key to breaking the cycle of poverty and creating sustainable

improvements in the lives of Ukrainians."

"SIAST brings significant resources and expertise to international education partnerships. We're essentially exporting our experience in developing employer-driven technical education," says Dr. Larry Rosia, SIAST president and CEO. "The Ukraine project will pay special attention to ensuring that existing and newly established training programs arc open and accessible to a wide range of equity and special needs groups, particularly women and youth."

The project will focus in particular on building strong partnerships between training institutions and the private sector. SIAST faculty and managers will lead development and training initiatives. In addition, volunteers from the Saskatchewan Ukrainian community will be recruited to help with specific initiatives both in Canada and in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Saskatchewan Provincial Council, Inc. (UCC-SPC) will help SIAST with the recruitment and selection of the volunteers.

Source www.saskatoonchamber.com