Sabtuan Adult Education Services (SAES) is a division of the Cree School Board. SAES provides a wide range of high-quality, community-based educational and training opportunities for adults living in the Eeyou Istchee territory. Our goal is to prepare each of our students to step into the labour mark et with the right tools and confidence.
SAES offers a variety of services under general adult education and/or vocational training programs in each Cree community.
General adult education programs allow students to complete their secondary education. Some seek out these programs to obtain the prerequisites to enter vocational training. Others simply wish to increase their degree of autonomy. Having qualified Cree adults will allow us to sustain the economic growth of our communities.
Vocational programs offer students the opportunity to prepare for a wide variety of careers through workshops, labs, classroom learning, and certifications. Our largest facility for vocational programs is the Sabtuan Regional Vocational Training Centre (SRVTC). For more information on the SRVTC, click here.
Partnerships are collaborations between the Cree School Board and outside entities which offer students expanded programs with real-world application. In 2016-2017, our partnership with Minheku Construction Inc. provided students in Whapmagoostui with training in the construction field. Partnerships like the Minheku Project benefit both the business and educational community by allowing students to pursue in-demand skills, qualifications, and career paths.
Connecting with students and implementing their feedback helps us to offer programs that prepare them for rewarding futures. In 2016-2017, we used the feedback from a survey of General Education students to adjust out school calendar, which now consists of three semesters.
It is critical that we understand their educational needs and provide the resources necessary to their success.
Sabtuan Adult Education Services offers programs for a wide variety of students, from those seeking a professional diploma to those who wish to upgrade their secondary school credentials. As part of our dedication to Educational Success, SAES offered resources to students who needed additional support. A Student Success Counsellor was available to students with learning disabilities, special needs and/or any risk factors for the first three months of the school year. The Guidance Counselor also met with 63 individuals and held 11 different workshops with different groups in Eeyou Istchee to discuss planning for the future. As our students represent a variety of ages, goals, and backgrounds, it is critical that we understand their educational needs and provide the resources necessary to their success.
SAES facilities used a variety of methods to educate the community about the programs we have available. Adult Schools in both Mistissini and Oujé-Bougoumou reported using Facebook and radio to connect with their communities. This not only increased engagement between the Cree School Board and its current students, but also educated prospective enrollees on the various programs available.
Our partnerships offered students the opportunity to pursue meaningful educational paths and connect with the necessary funding to attend school. Cree Human Resources Development (CHRD) was a particularly meaningful partner in 2016-2017. By providing financial support to students who enter their program, they make it possible for adults to support their family while attending school. CHRD expanded their support in 2016-2017 by providing education allowances to adults enrolled in general education. CHRD also collaborated to bring a presentation on success and coping strategies to staff and participants of Mistissini’s Career Path Program.
Technology played a major role in helping SAES improve their operations. One exciting development was the implementation of Skype technology at each of our Adult Education facilities. This allowed General Education teachers to meet bi-weekly and share strategies, results, and best practices.
Technology also contributed to student success in the classroom, where Smartboards and tablets/iPads were available in most cases. This technology gave us the opportunity to work with the Information and Technologies department for solutions that will facilitate a distance education program. In coming years, we hope that distance learning options will help more people in our territory access the educational services they need.