REALITY CHECK: Sask. Party’s elimination of Gradworks program leaves young people out of work

On top of highlighting the value of our Crowns and the importance of stopping the Sask. Party’s schemes to sell them off, today’s release of the Crown Investment Corporation’s annual report was a clear reminder of the consequences of the Sask. Party’s short-sighted decision to gut the Gradworks program that created opportunities for young people.

The Gradworks program placed post-secondary graduates in one-year paid internships in our province’s Crown Corporations. The program was so successful that nearly 70 per cent of Gradworks interns landed full-time work after their internship.

A program that helps young people get jobs sure would be handy now since the Sask. Party’s unfair tax hikes and job killing cuts have led to 3,500 fewer young people being able to find work this year than last.

But you don’t have to take our word for it. In 2013, the then Sask. Party CIC Minister said the program “has really proven its worth.”

Even just this year, despite cutting the extension short and crushing the hopes of new graduates enrolled in the program, the current Minister agreed, saying, that Gradworks “certainly has its benefits.”

Since both Ministers saw value in the program, it’s hard to believe that scrapping it is not part of the Sask. Party’s bigger scheme to sell off our Crowns.

Whatever their reason, the elimination of Gradworks can be added to the growing list of ways that the Sask. Party is hurting the Saskatchewan economy and making life harder for young people in our province.

Latest posts

HEALTHCARE CHAOS SPILLS OUT INTO ADDICTIONS REGISTRATION AREA OF ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL

As Moe Sits On His Hands, No End In Sight To Capacity Challenges Facing Hospitals Across Saskatchewan

SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan NDP is releasing shocking new photo evidence of St. Paul’s Hospital bursting at the seams after 18 years of Sask. Party failure.

SASKATCHEWAN NDP SEEKS MAJOR ELECTRICITY GRID INVESTMENT FROM FEDS AS MOE FAILS TO DELIVER

Recent Report Identifies ‘Elevated Risk’ In Maintaining Saskatchewan’s Grid During Extreme Weather
SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan NDP is appealing directly to the federal government for urgent investment in interprovincial transmission, as those projects have been left off the national major projects list despite warnings the electricity grid here is at risk.

BECK SAYS SASK POLYTECHNIC LAYOFFS HURT STUDENTS AND PRINCE ALBERT’S FUTURE

Beck and 20 Saskatchewan NDP MLAs Hit the Doors in Prince Albert to Hear Directly from Residents
PRINCE ALBERT – Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck and most of her 27-member caucus are in Prince Albert, going door-to-door to hear directly from residents about the challenges they’re facing and the changes they want to see.

SASKATCHEWAN NDP DEMAND EMERGENCY ACTION AFTER REGINA POLICE REPORT 46 OVERDOSES IN 8 DAYS

Sask. Party Can No Longer Ignore Urgent Drug Crisis Sweeping the Province
REGINA - The Ministry of Health has issued a devastating overdose alert in Regina after police report 46 overdoses and four suspected overdose deaths between February 2 and February 9th, yet the Sask. Party continues to sit on its hands. There is no information on the drugs involved but the Ministry says the substances could include opioids.