FOR RELEASE     #09-088
April 3, 2009

WHITEHORSE – The Department of Education, through the Northern Strategies Fund, is contributing $400,000 for a newly developed “Build Your Skills” program to provide local and regional training opportunities to local governments and their employees in various Yukon communities.

“Funding ‘Build Your Skills’ is part of the Department of Education’s work in training Yukoners for Yukon opportunities by developing and enhancing programs and resources to meet changing educational and labour market needs,” Education Minister Patrick Rouble said. “In this case, we’re working to assist First Nation and municipal governments and Local Advisory Councils in building their capacity.”

The Build your Skills program will be administered by Association of Yukon Communities (AYC). The project is designed to expand and increase employees’ skill sets and those of First Nation and municipal governments as well as Local Advisory Councils.

AYC president Bev Buckway said, “We are pleased to concentrate our efforts in building the capacity of First Nation and municipal governments. AYC will play an important role to enhance the skills and knowledge of elected officials and employees to better govern their citizens.”

Over the next year and a half, AYC will conduct local and regional workshops and training sessions in various Yukon communities. The following sessions are currently scheduled:

• Financial Management: Learning the Numbers – Teslin, April 16;

• Build Your Skills:  Planning for Good Governance – Dawson City, May 7; and

• Understanding Financial Management – Watson Lake, May 13.

More delivery times will be announced when courses are confirmed. For more information, visit www.ayc.yk.ca or call Lindsay at 867-668-3324.

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