Friday, June 20, 2008

Government will pay RCMP cadets during training to compete in tight job market

Canada News Wire

REGINA — RCMP cadets are applauding the federal government's decision to pay them $500 per week while they train to become police officers. Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the announcement in Regina, saying cadets will immediately start earning the money for the duration of their 24-week training period. Harper says they want to make sure that the money will make becoming a Mountie even more attractive. He says providing cadets with a modest training allowance will remove one of the impediments to RCMP recruiting efforts. While the RCMP expects to try and hire 8,000 new officers over the next five years, the federal Government acknowledges there's intense competition in the job market to recruit young people. Some cadets who attended the announcement at the RCMP training depot say they welcome the money, but the prospect of not being paid during their training period didn't deter them from signing up for the job.
------------------

Prime Minister Harper announces RCMP Cadet training pay to boost recruitment


Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that effective immediately RCMP Cadets will receive an allowance of $500 per week for the duration of their 24-week training period. “Our goal is to make the choice of a career as a Mountie all the more attractive for the legions of smart, fit, dedicated young Canadian men and women who dream of becoming RCMP officers,” said Prime Minister Harper, who was joined at the announcement by Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Stockwell Day. “This will help cadets meet financial obligations that they cannot ignore during training.” The RCMP expects to recruit more than 8,000 new officers over the next five years, equivalent to nearly half of total current force strength. Meeting the target is a challenge because the selection and training process is so rigorous and because there is intense competition for talented young people in Canada’s high-employment economy.

No comments: