Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My next question will be to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment regarding the Nominee Program. Last night, as every night, of course, I was watching, with great interest, Northbeat. I watch it every weeknight, with Randy Henderson at 6:00. That promotion was free, by the way.
I really enjoyed the coverage on the Nominee Program in the Yukon Territory. It reminded me of how I supported the establishment of the program here in the Northwest Territories. I think it’s very important to acknowledge that the work was being done quite significantly to bring this program here and to get people working and employed in sectors that were not being picked up by the local population, which brings me to the question, Mr. Speaker. It’s been quite some time since we’ve heard anything out of the Education Minister regarding what’s happening with the Nominee Program. I’m wondering if the Minister could provide an update as to its accomplishments at this time.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Minister of Education, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Nominee Program was agreed upon in 2009 and then implemented from there. We are into a three-year program now. In 2010-2011 we’ve had just over 30 applicants, I do believe – just under 50 and we are entitled to 150 per year. So we are earmarking 2012 again for another 150 nominations from CIBC. So it’s been quiet in this area, but there are applications that are coming in, and 28 have been approved for the critical impact worker category and seven for the skilled workers category. So there are 35 nominee applications that have been approved and are in the system. We are also open for other nominees as well. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate the update from the Minister regarding how many people have applied. Maybe he could repeat it for the House, to be clear. In the last two years how many people have actually applied at the program and how many people have been successful through the program and been supported by the Nominee Program? Thank you.
I don’t have the actual number of who all applied, but I do have the 35 who were approved. Mahsi.
I would hope the Minister would be able to get that information to me so I can help with others. As I say, help with others. Many people wonder how to access the program. One of the issues that constantly come to me is what type of advertisement or promotion does the department do to indicate it’s open for business and is willing to help process applications on the Nominee Program? People need to know where to go and what to do. What does the Minister have to say about accessibility?
I’m sure, as the Member indicated, he watches Northbeat, and I’m sure he reads the newspaper as well. It’s all over the newspaper as well. We also promote that on our website. We advertise across the Northwest Territories newspapers. We provide presentations to the general public and special interest groups. There have been promotional items being presented to the general public on the Nominee Program since 2009. We’re not into the second year. There has been some uptake in this program. We’ll continue to monitor it.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister be willing to commit to getting me those numbers I asked about earlier, and at the same time would he be willing to provide me with a complete package of what people would use to fill out, whether it’s an application process or a package? Would he be able to provide that to me? Finally, if he could update the House as to do the staff at ECE actually support employers in filling out this probably lengthy package of information.
We do assist through our Department of Education, Culture and Employment those individuals who walk in the door. If there are questions, we assist with them in that respect. I will definitely provide that information that we can provide to the Member.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.
