The MEC Learning Center
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The Marieval Enterprise Center Inc was established in January 1999 through the joint efforts of The Yorkton Tribal Council, the Mainline REDA and other industry and government partners. The Center was incorporated as a Non-Profit Corporation in June of 1999. The intent was to launch an innovative multi-cultural business center with a strong management and staff capable of developing and delivering programs and services throughout the region. The Marieval Enterprise Center Inc was originally located on Cowessess First Nation and expanded its operation in 2005 to a 6000 square foot building in Grayson Saskatchewan. Within the facility the Center has a 1600 square foot computer refurbishing center, a 1600 square foot trades and hobby development center and a 1000 square foot computer training lab.
The significant need for social development, technology development and labour force development within many rural communities became the guiding principle for program development with the Centre. The focus of the programs and services has evolved into four distinct areas:
Area 1 - Labour Force Development
- Early Childhood Development delivered through camp programs, access to technology, after school programs, peer to peer mentor programs
- Youth Development delivered through skill enhancement programs, on-the job training, entrepreneurial development, access to technology, after school programs and provincial project
- Family Development delivered through personal empowerment programs, access to technology for personal and career development, job readiness programs, and cultural enrichment programs
- Crime Prevention delivered through community based programs focused on the development of the youth and family as the stabilizing units for community revitalization and development.
- In partnership with CANDO, MEC developed and delivered community economic development training.
Area 2 - Technology Development
- Human Capacity Building delivered through computer training workshop ranging from basic introductory classes to on-line certification courses
- Technology Skill Development delivered through the refurbishing centre at the MEC Learning Center, which provided on-hands practical experience in trouble shooting, repairs and maintenance, computer refurbishing and new computer building
- Access to High-Speed Internet provided through two-way high speed satellites and wide area networks with the goal of stimulating interest in e-learning and e-commerce
- Youth Internship Programs that provide youth between the ages of 16 and 30 with the opportunity to experience, in a full-time paid position, the uses and potential of technology
- Wireless Wide Area Network Community Partnerships available to any un-served rural communities as an investment opportunity and revenue generating opportunity.
- Digital Production Courses that provide community residents with opportunities to use and experiment with higher levels of technology including digital cameras, digital video cameras, and numerous software programs that enable webpage design activities, photo editing and photo enrichment
- Student Audit Programs which focuses on children between the ages of 8 and 14, who are contracted to provide evaluation services of various educational software programs. The goal is to introduce children at an early age to the power and fun of technology in enhancing their knowledge and skill levels and to provide valuable feedback to software developers and retailers.
Area 3 - Contract Administration
- Act as a Sponsor Agency for the delivery and monitoring of contribution and related contracts. Programs have been delivered on behalf of Industry Canada, and the Aboriginal Healing Foundation
- Establishment of Partnerships and Alliances that focus on greater penetration and presence within the Saskatchewan and Pan Western markets and rural Canada as a whole.
Area 4 - Business and Related Services
- All General Business Services provided to the communities including photo copying, printing, scanning, faxing, etc.
- Business Mentorship – as a recognized member of the Business Mentorship Institute of Saskatchewan, the Marieval Enterprise Center Inc. hosts train the trainer sessions for community based businesses involved in economic and business development
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