FOR RELEASE     #05-320
December 7, 2005

WHITEHORSE - Education Minister John Edzerza has announced the creation of a new $50,000 Community Training Fund today, geared to support the development of the 2007 Canada Winter Games.

The Canada Winter Games Training Fund will contribute to the salaries of three coordinator positions for a five month period. These positions will benefit from mentorship and training opportunities in, but not limited to, event planning, community relations, warehousing, fabrication, logistical planning and venue management.

"The Department of Education is pleased to support the Canada Winter Games through our Community Training Funds, while providing meaningful training opportunities for Yukoners," Education Minister John Edzerza said. "Each coordinator will work as part of a team, and they will gain knowledge, skills and experience that will that will help to ensure the success of the Games in Whitehorse."

"This funding will be very beneficial to the Games Host Society," Host Society senior manager Lucy Coulthard said. "Our employees will receive on the job training in a high paced work environment. Employees will learn valuable skills that they will be able to use in future positions with other organizations or companies within the territory."

"Community Training Funds are all about creating capacity where local labour markets are providing economic opportunities," Edzerza added.

The Government of Yukon has invested $1.5 million dollars in Community Training Funds this year.  There are three main types of Community Training Funds: industry or sector based, community based, and project specific.

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