The 2025-26 Provincial Budget includes funding for workforce development programs that support unemployed and underemployed people, including support for skills training programs and services for unemployed or underemployed persons.
Specific investments include $24.1 million for adult essential skills training; $22.6 million for credentialled skills training programs delivered through post-secondary institutions (an increase of $716,000 compared to 2024-25); $17.8 million for pre-employment programs and services (a reduction of $5.2 million compared to 2024-25 due to the federal LMTA funding cut); and $10.4 million to support employment for persons with disabilities to make and prepare for transitions into the workforce (an increase of $500,000 compared to 2024-25).
"The 24.1 million investment in adult essential skills training is encouraging because it aligns with what we already do, helping people gain the skills they need to find and keep meaningful employment. While we're still reviewing the details, we see that there is an opportunity to strengthen our services and hopefully expand training options for the people we support," commented Deputy Executive Director with Southeast Advocates in Weyburn, Shannon Fodchuk.
She said their three programs are funding through the Saskatchewan Ministry of Immigration and Career Training, via contracts renewed annually.
"They've been happy with the services we provide in southeast Saskatchewan, so we're happy that we get to continue on with those services for the foreseeable future," she shared. "We've been fortunate enough to receive funding every time we've applied."
Fodchuk said whether they are new to Canada, or lived here all along, everybody wants to live the Canadian dream.
"We help anybody with a barrier to employment and a change in jobs. If they want to further their education and need help discovering what they're good at and where they want to lead that career path to, we can help them with that planning, too. We can help them explore the online options, or if there's training that they need to get to be able to have an online career, we can definitely explore that option with different individuals."
"We advocate for every individual that we serve, so it's nice that it's newcomers, it's Canadians, it's children, youth," she added. "Our commitment to southeast Saskatchewan will remain the same. We will continue to work with job-seekers, newcomers, and youth to make sure they have access to the tools and opportunities they need to succeed."