PARKLAND COLLEGE
Parkland College and Yorkton Tribal Council Bring Water and Wastewater Operators Course to Communities

Goal #6 of the United Nations Sustainable Development goals is to "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all." Water and Wastewater Operators play an integral role in the maintenance of a clean water supply supporting the health and well-being of our communities.

Parkland College is partnering with Yorkton Tribal Council and 3 of their departments (Labour Force Development, Pre-Employments Supports and Technical Services) along with Indigenous Services Canada to deliver a program called Intro to Water Operators that will provide strong foundational training in the Water and Wastewater disciplines. The program is designed for those who are new to this field of study or those who are already working in this field but who want to upgrade or fulfill their continuing education requirements. This training is made possible through a unique teaching partnership formed between Parkland College and ATAP Infrastructure Management Ltd.

This 19-week program combines weekly online training with ATAP in students own communities along with weekly classroom training focusing on Math and Essential Skills in Yorkton. This course is divided into 8 units and includes presentations, assignments, handouts, and quizzes. Included is 2 weeks of work placement where the students receive on the job training in this field.

Communities involved are Kahkewistahaw First Nation, Ocean Man First Nation, Key First Nation, Cote First Nation, Keeseekoose First Nation, Cowessess First Nation, Zagime Anishinabek First Nation and Ochapowace First Nation.

"By providing the right tools and direction, we can build a prosperous and self-sufficient future for our Indigenous Peoples," comments Frank Keshane, Director of Adult Education and PES Advisor, YTC.

About Parkland College
Since its inception in 1973, Parkland College has worked to expand the philosophy of life-long learning in East Central Saskatchewan. Among the seven basic principles upon which the community college system was founded is the idea that programs are to be developed in response to the needs of the community. Today, Parkland College offers a broad spectrum of educational services from trades training and high school upgrading to the province's most diverse off-campus university offerings.