Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that the Department of Health and Social Services work with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and Aurora College to enhance support for students in the Social Work Program with the goal of increasing the number of homegrown Aboriginal students; and further, that a bursary program be established; and furthermore, that the online course work in distance education also be considered. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Yakeleya.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I fully support this motion. It’s very clear, as stated here, that the goal is to have our Aboriginal students in our communities in the North here take advantage of this opportunity and that there’s a support system set in place so that we support them going through the education programs, such as the Aurora College Social Work Program, and that other options also be considered to support our young students here. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. To the motion. Minister Abernethy.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Through the Northern Graduate Employment Program, which began in 2001, 26 Northerners have become social workers, of whom 16 are actually still employed by the GNWT. The department is completing an updated Health and Social Services Human Resource Strategic Plan and social workers have been identified as a priority area in this new action plan. We will work on a number of fronts to encourage northern social work students, including going to the schools to encourage northern youth to consider social work as a career, and continue to provide summer students intern and practicum opportunities as much as possible. Overall, our review of the existing programs indicated that bursaries are not an effective way to recruit and retain. So we’re looking at doing some things differently. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister Abernethy. To the motion.
Question.
Question is being called. The motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. Yakeleya.
