Transportation Services in Yorkton That Operate at Times Convenient for Students and Workers
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Summary ................................................................................................................................................ 2 Overview ................................................................................................................................................ 2 Goal #1 – Housing ................................................................................................................................ 3 Goal #2 - Transportation ....................................................................................................................... 4 Goal #3 – Balanced Labour Market ...................................................................................................... 5 Goal #4 – Regional Partnerships ........................................................................................................... 6 Goal #5 - Childcare ................................................................................................................................ 7 Goal #6 – Immigrant Services ............................................................................................................... 8 Areas of Growth ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Taking Action ....................................................................................................................................... 10 Working Together in the Future ........................................................................................................... 10 Overview of Regional Partners ............................................................................................................. 12 Programs and Services of Regional Partners ........................................................................................ 13 Strengths of Regional Partners ............................................................................................................. 17 Community Strengths ........................................................................................................................... 17 Partners’ Strengths ................................................................................................................................ 17 Regional Partners’ – Long Term Goals ............................................................................................... 20 Partners’ Mandates .............................................................................................................................. 20 Shared Goals ........................................................................................................................................ 20 Partners’ Long-Term Goals ................................................................................................................ 21 Parkland College Goals ........................................................................................................................ 23 Parkland College Overview .................................................................................................................. 24 Program Areas .................................................................................................................................... 26 Appendix A: An Overview of Parkland College ................................................................................... 35 Appendix B: Parkland College ............................................................................................................ 38 Appendix C: Agribusiness Survey ........................................................................................................ 40 Appendix D: Immigration Services ..................................................................................................... 53 Appendix E: Rental Housing Incentive .............................................................................................. 54 Appendix F: GSSD Environmental Scan ............................................................................................. 56 Appendix G: Partner Contact Information .......................................................................................... 58 NEEDS ASSESSMENT 2010-2011 PARKLAND REGIONAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT SUMMARY Parkland College develops an annual Regional Needs Assessment with the support and cooperation of local businesses, community based organizations, and governmental departments. All of the partners in the Regional Needs Assessment focus on training, education and/or employment in one way or another. Together the partners provide a comprehensive array of training and employment programs available in the region. While availability of training and employment is important, personal and community factors like access to childcare and transportation often determine individuals’ ability to participate in education and employment. An analysis of the Parkland area shows that the region is short of some of these critical community supports. The regional partners, in their plan for the future, decided to address some of the broader factors that contribute to success in education, training and employment. The partners in this Regional Needs Assessment are working to achieve the following goals, so are other many groups and organizations in the Parkland Region. Many community and government organizations recognize that community supports are necessary prerequisites for individuals’ success in education and employment. The goals below are the most significant on-going community goals. It will take a step-by-step, year-by-year approach to achieve improvements on these goals. PARKLAND REGIONAL NEEDS OVERVIEW Figure 1: Parkland Regional Needs Overview BALANCED REGIONAL LABOUR PARTNERSHIPS MARKET TRANSPORTATION CHILDCARE PARKLAND IMMIGRANT HOUSING REGIONAL SERVICES NEEDS NEEDS ASSESSMENT 2010-2011 2 | P a g e GOAL #1 – TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE, QUALITY HOUSING IN THE PARKLAND REGION. CONTEXT Presently, there is a shortage of affordable apartments and other housing options in the Parkland Region. Potential students, employees, and families are leaving the Region due to the lack of available housing. According to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Rental Market Survey, the average rental price for a one family unit in 2008 was $666 (an 11% increase over 2007 rental rates). The Rental Market Survey also calculated the 2008 percentage of available rental units at less than 0.5% - with 0% available for bachelor or 3+ bedroom units. This represents a significant drop from the 3.4% available in 2007. According to CMHC in October 2008 there were 4 rental units available in Yorkton. ACTION Continue to make City Council, private developers and the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation aware of the need for more good quality, affordable housing [All regional partners]. Keep regional partners informed of developments and housing issues. PROGRESS Housing Supplement Initiative for low-income families and people with disabilities is in place in Yorkton. Parkland Housing Authority is in the final stages of developing a 24-unit apartment building for low income families. The building is expected to be completed in February, 2010. Habitat for Humanity has successfully completed the first Habitat home in Yorkton. New not-for-profit group moving forward with the Yorkton Transition Housing project for youth. This $800,000 facility will have 10 beds; construction is expected to begin in late 2009. The City of Yorkton is responsible for the housing at the municipal level. The Yorkton Housing Committee will be given terms of reference in late 2009 and develop a city housing plan in 2010. The City of Yorkton has announced that multi-family dwellings will be tax free (municipal) for five (5) years – with the provision that they are not converted into condos for 15 years. FUTURE ACTIONS Parkland College is researching the opportunity to develop a student residence facility in Yorkton that can accommodate our diverse student body (including single parent families and students with physical challenges). SEER to investigate their role in housing development. NEEDS ASSESSMENT 2010-2011 3 | P a g e GOAL #2 – TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN YORKTON THAT OPERATE AT TIMES CONVENIENT FOR STUDENTS AND WORKERS. CONTEXT Presently, Yorkton has one city bus, which operates on an hourly schedule. It is not convenient for students, workers, or those requiring childcare facilities. The lack of reliable public transportation creates a significant barrier to employment or study, especially for new immigrants. Those who do not have access to a personal vehicle do not have a reliable method of transportation with the city and region. ACTION The Abilities council has adapted their work schedule to coincide with the Yorkton bus system to meet their employee needs. PROGRESS Bus pass subsidy in place through City of Yorkton for students and people with low income – has been renewed. Formal review has been completed for Sask Abilities Council to amalgamate dispatch responsibilities for the Special Needs bus, the car for seniors, and the City of Yorkton bus. Subsidized Bus passes ($15.00 / month) are available in Yorkton for those receiving the Saskatchewan Assistance Program, Transitional Employment Allowance, Saskatchewan Employment Supplement or Provincial Training Allowance. Social Services