Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my questions today, they are for the Minister of Finance on the Indigenous Career Pathways Program and the secondary program here, the Indigenous Management Development and Training Program, as well. My experiences have found that the Sahtu Region, with the government and the agencies, runs a workforce of 375 employees. Given that amount, in preparation for the readiness and awareness of these programs, can the Minister commit to the designing and promotion of a brochure for the delivery and awareness of these two programs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Finance.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was a news release that went out in October of 2018 that talked about a couple of new programs to open new career pathways for Indigenous Northerners. As far as there being brochures to promote that, I am not quite sure if I have seen any brochures yet, but I could follow up. I am sure that information is also available on our website with the proper information for those that want to take advantage of these programs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thanks to the Minister for that reply. I find it very encouraging, the inspiration on these types of programs that we see in this institution, and sharing that with the smaller communities would really create awareness of the opportunities that are out there, but they all are subject to fulfilling your education and so on. It will encourage the youth to visualize themselves in taking over some of these opportunities as the age group of the workforce goes.
My next question is: after the development of this brochure campaign profile, can the Minister share that with the schools, the EAs, and other agencies within the Sahtu, and the whole territory, for that matter?
One of the things that we are very proud of in the Northwest Territories is the number of Aboriginal people in our workforce, Indigenous people. We continue to try and enhance those numbers. There is a lot of value that is brought to the positions. We continue to promote that. If there is an opportunity in this particular situation to promote these programs at, say, educational fairs and things like that, I am not sure of exactly the details of our department's plans on promoting the program. I will follow up, and I will share any information that I can gather with the Members and Members of the Assembly.
I am glad for that answer on the issue of promoting these two initiatives. In doing so, it will create inspiration to our youth that there is opportunity out there beyond post-secondary classes.
Our group is promoting a youth inspirational tour in the Sahtu sometime this spring, April or May. Can the Minister commit to providing some promotional brochures about the program and the criteria and so on, so that we can distribute the pamphlets during our Sahtu tour?
The Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning Unit attended career fairs, and that goes back to the Member's first question, in many different regions. Recently they attended the Aklavik Healthy Living Fair and the Fort Providence Skills 4 Success Career Fair. They plan to attend a career fair in Behchoko that would be attended by all high schools. Again, that is an opportunity to promote some of the opportunities. They recently finalized the guidebook on careers in health and social services professions, an NWT- focused career guidebook, which will be shared with all schools. Any opportunities that our departments have to share information on potential opportunities and training, they will do so at a number of fairs that they attend across the Northwest Territories.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
