Editor's Note: This letter was submitted by Saskatchewan Polytechnic, in response to the article "Moose Jaw has lost the most provincial government jobs since 1991, report says."
March 27, 2020
I wish to add some clarity and context to two recent articles regarding employment numbers at Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Moose Jaw Campus.
Our mission is to educate students and provide skilled and successful graduates. This means ensuring that our graduates have the skills necessary to thrive and prosper in a changing economy, and in times of disruption like the one we are experiencing now. Because these skills are constantly changing, our programs must change with them. Each year, we review programs in order to properly invest in the resources that will maximize benefits to both students and employers. Resources are allocated to growth areas to ensure our institution remains responsive to industry needs and student demand.
Sometimes this analysis includes moving programs from one campus to another to better meet student demand. In other cases, it may result in additional programs offered or programs cancelled, which may affect employment.
As a steward of taxpayer dollars, this approach is not only prudent, it is the responsible thing to do. While acknowledging that full-time equivalent (FTE) figures have decreased over a five-year period at the Moose Jaw Campus (from approximately 301 FTEs in 2014-15 to 251 FTEs in 2018-19), it is important to point out that this was the overall trend for the entire institution—including Saskatoon. In 2014-15, Sask Polytech had approximately 1,715 FTEs. Last year it was 1,597.
While FTE figures are important, however, they only tell a partial story. In a larger context, we believe that our greatest impact stems from the education, skills training, and career enhancement we provide students, many of whom end up settling in Moose Jaw to raise families, buy homes, purchase vehicles, and serve the communities in many positive ways.
Jobs and the nature of work have, and will continue to change. As a result, our programs must change to ensure Saskatchewan’s workforce remains innovative and competitive.
What will not change, however, is our commitment to student success and to the communities they serve, including Moose Jaw.
Sincerely,
Dr. Larry S. Rosia
President & CEO
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
