TRLabs and SIAST team up to train Saskatchewan's ICT workforce

June 20, 2000 -- Saskatchewan - TRLabs is pleased to welcome the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) as its newest member.

This collaboration will create new opportunities to prepare students for challenging careers in information and communications technology (ICT). By plugging in to the TRLabs network of business sponsors, SIAST will ensure that its curriculum meets present and future demands for Saskatchewan's ICT workforce.

Says Cliff Klein, TRLabs Director of Saskatchewan Operations, "We have had a lot of success working with The Universities of Regina and Saskatchewan to train graduate students for careers in ICT. Our graduates are in high demand, and many are working here in Saskatchewan, for companies like SaskTel, PMC-Sierra and Critical Control Corp., to name a few. Now SIAST students will benefit from industry's input on their training, and local businesses will benefit from a workforce that meets their needs."

"We are very excited about being the first technical training institute in Western Canada to join the Brass Sponsorship program. We feel the contacts with the industry partners represented by TRLabs will provide excellent opportunities for our faculty members and graduates in ensuring that our training programs remain relevant in anticipating the rapidly changing needs of the information and communication technology sector in Saskatchewan," says Claude Naud, Vice-President Programs of SIAST.

SIAST provides career-related training that leads to employment. The institute has an exceptional track record: over 90% of its graduates who look for employment find jobs within six months of graduation. SIAST has the largest student enrolment of any post-secondary institution in Saskatchewan and offers more than 200 certificate and diploma programs, apprenticeship training, university courses, adult upgrading classes and extension courses. Each of its four campuses - Kelsey Campus in Saskatoon, Palliser Campus in Moose Jaw, Wascana Campus in Regina, and Woodland Campus in Prince Albert - is recognized for its highly qualified faculty and staff.

TRLabs is Canada's leading ICT research consortium. Through industry-university-government collaboration, TRLabs creates innovative technologies and trains students to enhance Canada's information and communications technology expertise and improve its global competitiveness. TRLabs operates research labs in five cities: Saskatoon, Regina, Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg. Its industrial sponsors include telecom carriers, multinational equipment manufacturers, telecommunications service providers and emerging western Canadian ICT businesses. University sponsors are the Universities of Saskatchewan, Regina, Alberta, Calgary and Manitoba, and government sponsors are the Governments of Canada, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba.

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