The Southeast Regional College has signed a partnership agreement with the University of Regina's Centre for Continuing Education to offer the next level of business courses beyond entry level skills.

The partnership enables instructors from the U of R to come out and teach business courses in the communities where the regional college has campuses, including Weyburn, rather than having employees of small businesses travel in to Regina to get these same courses.

The new arrangement was the result of a lengthy effort by the college to find a suitable partner for these types of courses, said Terry Ludtke, general manager of the college, at a news conference on Thursday announcing the partnership.

"Trent Jordens and I had been looking and searching in many parts of the country, and as we found out it was available here under our noses through the U of R," said Ludtke. "This is a very significant day for the college."

Up until now, the college had only been offering entry-level type of programs for business training, such as computer training and time management skills.

"What we were looking for with the centre is we wanted to move to the next level. That's what we believe these courses will do," said Ludtke.

He noted that most businesses in southeast Saskatchewan are smaller ones with one-to-three employees, and many struggle with such issues as recruiting and retaining staff.

The college did some local research into these local companies to find out what their needs were, and developed programming along with the Centre for Continuing Education to meet those needs. Some of the courses developed so far include strategic planning, creative conflict resolution, e-recruitment and aboriginal recruitment and retention.

So far, only courses in strategic planning have been set for the Weyburn campus on Oct. 21-22. Ludtke said any of the other courses can be brought to the Weyburn campus if there is a demand for it.

The director for the Centre for Continuing Education, Marilyn Miller, said for many years they have been extending their courses via distance education, but had also wanted to extend their services through such a partnership.

"We were delighted when we were approached by Southeast Regional College to collaborate in offering these business courses. The people who are in the best position to know local needs are those who live locally," she said, adding that needs assessment was done by the college to determine exactly what kind of courses would be needed by local businesses.

Ludtke said there are three main advantages to having this training available through the college: "First, business professionals will have access to quality training delivered by qualified instructors. Second, the training will be offered close to home enabling business owners and employees to reduce travel time as well as time away from their jobs. Third, and most important, we believe these courses will enable both employers and employees to improve their business knowledge and skills, resulting in more effective business operations."

He also noted theneeds assessment data shows that local businesses have been sending people to Regina for training in these particular areas.

The courses offered will be beneficial to working professionals in agricultural, business, health, government and education sectors, with instructors who are professionals from the fields of human resources, law and business management.