Helping build aboriginal workforce.

Saskatchewan has a huge potential competitive advantage in the looming nation-wide race to replenish the labor force thanks to its growing Aboriginal population, according to the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

"The make-up of Saskatchewan's labor force is changing. As increasing numbers of the baby boomer generation retire in the next five to 10 years, the members of our growing Aboriginal population will be called upon to fill those vacancies," said Chamber president Clay Dowling.

"We want to see more Aboriginal people filling the skilled and professional positions that are projected to be in short supply during the coming decade--scientists, engineers, health care providers, and so on."

However, there are still significant barriers to Aboriginal participation in the mainstream economy that must be addressed. One of them is education.

While there are approximately 18,600 Saskatchewan First Nations students attending schools on reserves and another 4,000 attending off-reserve public schools, less than 50 per cent of Saskatchewan Aboriginal students attain their high school diplomas. A mere five per cent of the Aboriginal population is completing university training, compared to 16 per cent of the total population.

According to Dowling, those numbers need to improve dramatically in order to ensure Aboriginal workers have the skills to compete in the labor market. An estimated 65 per cent of all job opportunities in the next five years will require management skills and/or postsecondary education.

On the other side of the equation, business and industry must recognize and accept the changes that will occur in the workplace as a greater proportion of Aboriginal young people gain entry into the workforce.

"In industries like mining and construction, Aboriginal people have already shown that when given a chance they are a very valuable addition to the workplace. The challenge is in making the integration of Aboriginal employees into the workplace as comfortable and beneficial as possible for both parties" said Dowling.

Growing Saskatchewan's underdeveloped labor force is one of the key goals of Action Saskatchewan: A Blueprint for 21)05, the Chamber's integrated strategic plan for a strong, revitalized province. However, Dowling said that goal could be all but unachievable without more involvement from the Aboriginal population.

"Without the increased participation of Aboriginal people, our ability to grow our labor market will be severely limited. We need to bring Aboriginal leaders, heads of business and educators together in a system that will allow us to capitalize on this opportunity and grow our province," said Dowling.

"We all have a stake in the success of this initiative."

Article courtesy of Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.