Thank you, Mr Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, a sure sign of spring in many NWT communities is the return of summer students. The GNWT Summer Student Program is one way we offer to hire and train northerners as future public servants.

In 2001, the GNWT introduced the Maximizing Northern Employment Initiative. As part of this initiative, the Northern Student and Northern Graduate Employment programs were established. These programs encourage northern students to pursue post-secondary degrees and diplomas, and then work in the NWT after graduation.

Graduates can access internships and specialized skill development training. Qualified northern graduates of nursing, social work and teaching programs are guaranteed a job offer somewhere in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, since 2001, the Graduate Nursing Program has placed 87 northern nursing graduates. The Graduate Social Work Program has placed 16 social workers and the Graduate Teacher Program has placed over 50 teachers.

For students finishing a year of post-secondary schooling, we have a Summer Student Hiring Program that helps students receive progressive, relevant experience directly related to their studies.

In 2006, the GNWT provided 343 summer students with employment between April and September. Mr. Speaker, as of this week, 195 students have already been hired for summer 2007 in seven NWT communities. This includes 56 priority one and 108 priority two individuals. These employment opportunities offer students an insight into the public service work environment. They also provide employees with an opportunity to share their knowledge and skills with future job seekers.

Our Graduate Internship Program has been successful in attracting northerners to the public service. Since 2001, over 260 northerners have participated in the internship program. Over 88 interns from the program have joined the GNWT in indeterminate positions. Of those who have moved on, many have returned to school for advanced degrees or gone to work for other northern employers. Mr. Speaker, 35 interns will join the GNWT this year.

I invite my colleagues to join me in welcoming all the interns and summer students who are joining the public service this year. The time spent with the GNWT will provide these individuals with valuable work experience. Our northern students and graduates will be filling essential positions in the future.

Mr. Speaker, these programs serve as examples of how the GNWT is preparing, developing and retaining northerners in the public service. As North American labour markets become more competitive, we need to look at our own staff and other northern residents and the educational programs we provide in order to fill our public service positions with the best candidates.

We could not provide the quality programs that we do without dedicated public service employees. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the time, energy and dedication they bring to mentoring and training our new employees. Through their efforts, the GNWT continues to offer an exciting and vibrant workplace for northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause