Saskatchewan’s delegation to Manila has been deemed a success by Health Minister Paul Merriman.

Merriman, who led the delegation, as well as other Ministers connected with and interviewed 1,200 interested Filipino healthcare workers about coming to work in the province.

“Saskatchewan needed to create an innovative plan that reflected our serious commitment and sincere intent to the people of the Philippines,” Merriman said.

“To achieve these outstanding results, we wanted to take bold steps by going to the Philippines to engage in-person with hundreds of interested and available workers. In return, Filipinos traveled from every corner of their country to attend our information sessions. Hundreds of enthusiastic participants came prepared to connect with our officials and learn more about how to become an employee within Saskatchewan’s health system.”

Out of the 1,200 interested parties, the Saskatchewan Health Authority made 138 conditional employment offers.

Saskatchewan delegates also promoted provincial healthcare employment opportunities over a five-day period in Manila.

They hosted ten workshops and information sessions to over 1,200 interested Filipino healthcare workers in that time span.

These sessions assisted with the licensing and regulatory process, immigration process and relocation supports.

Saskatchewan’s newly created health system navigator positions will continue to assist Filipino healthcare recruitment candidates and provide follow-up information to the 1200 prospective candidates identified by the mission.

Merriman and Saskatchewan’s post-secondary representatives also met with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Commission of Higher Education representatives in Manila to discuss the creation of more streamlined and efficient training pathways between Saskatchewan’s institutions and the Philippines.

Merriman joined Saskatchewan Polytechnic to celebrate the opening of its Manila-based office and participated in Memorandum of Understanding signings and partnership agreements with nine Philippine State Universities.

“It was a privilege to meet many future healthcare workforce members, from registered nurses to medical lab technicians to continuing care aides and their families, who are excited to come to Saskatchewan and expand our workforce,” Merriman added.