Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Residents of Nunakput are leaving the region to work in other parts of Canada around the world. Recruiting Northern residents is key to keeping our language and cultures in the workplace strong. I believe that we need to start implementing northern education for northern residents. Land claim agreements and on-the-land programs are important programs that need to be part of the curriculum in everyday life in schools in the North. The NWT is one of the most diverse regions in Canada and around the world. Take a look at the fur industry. This is a great example. The Junior Kindergarten Program is an effective way to give children in the North an opportunity to assert a good education and I encourage this program to continue. By the tone of my voice, you probably know who I'm going to ask this question. This is towards the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Are there any programs in place to ensure that our new graduates and skilled workers stay in the NWT? Quyanainni.
Masi. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the department has a lot of programs in place to ensure that our graduates that leave high school do get into the workforce. The main one that we do have is we do have a 10-year strategic framework called the Skills 4 Success. We are looking at developing a concrete action plan to address those that will help improve employment success for NWT residents, and also close that skills gap for our employers and our residents that are looking for work, and help adjust some of those individuals from ages 18 to 24 that are not in the workforce, they're just out of school, so try to get them back into the workforce. So yes, the Skills 4 Success Strategic Framework and the action plan is in place to address those needs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
How did Education, Culture and Employment determine which areas of employment to focus their efforts on?
Most recently, the department had developed a comprehensive labour and market information report and it got consultation from people across the Northwest Territories, so that's what we looked at where we needed to address those issues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
My second question is: When will the NWT labour market forecast be available to the public?
The department is happy to release this report so that all residents of the Northwest Territories can see where our actions are and what our priorities are. That report will be released next month. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Final supplementary. Member for Nunakput.
My follow-up question is: how are local people involved in the Skills 4 Success Initiative Action Plan. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.
I mentioned for the Skills 4 Success 10-year Strategic Framework, we are going to be developing some concrete actions. We are going to be consulting with our stakeholders across the Northwest Territories, and that includes Aboriginal governments, industry, business, and education, as well as other training programs. We will get out there and we will be consulting with our stakeholders to develop an action plan that is for Northerners and for Northern businesses.
Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
