Debates of June 2, 2004 (day 18)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure which Minister to direct this question to because I am not sure what department the management assignment program falls under. But since all the applications do go to the corporate human resource services office, I guess that would be under the offices of the Executive. So let me ask the Premier what the new management assignment program that the government is currently undertaking, which comprises a two-phase assessment component to find some eligible participants that are willing to complete the program. I just want to ask the Premier who is on this assessment review committee, and when do they do their reviews? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 202-15(3): Management Assignment Program

Mr. Speaker, the program is managed by the director of corporate human resources. The intake for the program is once a year. The deadline for the new intake is June 15th. So they will be shortly doing the assessments for the new people. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 202-15(3): Management Assignment Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Premier for his answer and that information. Let me just ask the Premier is it only the director of the corporate human resources that is doing the assessment on all the applicants that he receives for the program, or is there an assessment review committee in place to review the applicants? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 202-15(3): Management Assignment Program

Mr. Speaker, there is a committee, and a fairly structured but fair process for doing assessments on any applicants or nominees who are being considered for the program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 202-15(3): Management Assignment Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the program is basically designed to run for 24 to 48 months and not guaranteeing jobs at the senior level when they complete the program. I have received some information from what I would term eligible candidates for the program that in the second round of selections, many of these applicants that have submitted applications to the first round of participants in the program are basically taking the attitude now that they will not apply for the second round of program eligibility due to the fact that they, and I quote, a lot of them say “why bother because we will not even be chosen anyway,” and many of these applicants are of aboriginal decent. So I just wanted to ask the Premier maybe what assurances can he give these aboriginal applicants to make them feel that they will be given an equal opportunity to participate in this management assignment program? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 202-15(3): Management Assignment Program

Mr. Speaker, of course our first objective is to have management assignment program clients, enrolees who have the aptitude and the skill to be able to take on senior management positions, but I have had the same concern as the Member is raising that when I look at the list of who is enrolled in the program there are not very many aboriginal people there. We need to do more to encourage aboriginal employees to apply for the program, and to give them the training and skill development that is necessary for it. So, Mr. Speaker, I have spoken with the deputy minister and the director of corporate human resources to see if there is a way of being able to improve the program so that we do have a more representative population. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Your final supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 202-15(3): Management Assignment Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad that the Premier also recognizes that it is an issue with him, and if it is an issue with him I think that is a big issue for this government, and I think that we should really pay more attention to the assessment process for eligible applicants. Let me just ask the Premier then just getting some feedback from some of the first round applicants that are involved in the program, when is this program going to start? I know a lot of these participants haven’t received any developmental assignments, any activities or any mentoring or coaching or training of any sort to date, and we are going into the second round of eligible applicants in the program. So I want to ask the Premier when does the ball start rolling in the program and people start getting some training? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 202-15(3): Management Assignment Program

Mr. Speaker, the program is ongoing. All but five of the current people in the program have been placed or are on assignment. So the program is functioning for them. The deadline for application for new people who want to take the program or be enrolled in the program is June 15th. So if there are individuals out there that any of the Members are aware of, and who are interested in being in the program, then I would certainly be interested in their names and ensure that they have the opportunity to go through the application process. But, as I said, all but five of the current people in the program are on assignment or have been placed. Thank you.