SLAAMB launches new Aboriginal Apprenticeship Research centre in Sioux Lookout
SLAAMB press release ...
New Aboriginal Apprenticeship Research Initiative Announced For 30 Remote First Nation Communities
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 (Sioux Lookout, ON) – A new initiative is underway for 30 remote First Nations located in the Sioux Lookout area to improve access and opportunity for First Nations people who are currently employed or want to be employed in the skilled trades. The 30 First Nations being targeted are the ones served by the former Sioux Lookout Zone Hospital.
The initiative is funded by Human Resources Social Development Canada (HRSDC) and will bring together the expertise of other numerous local and provincial partners. The anticipated outcome of this research project would be to support Ontario’s and Canada’s need to generate a new wave of home grown skilled workforce in the trades while improving the social and economic conditions of the First Nations people as a result of obtaining a career in the trades.
The Sioux Lookout Regional Centre For Aboriginal Apprenticeship Research (CAAR) Initiative is designed to maximize training and job opportunities around the construction of the Sioux Lookout Health Centre (Meno-Ya-Win) and the new hostel. The initiative will develop partnerships and tools that will facilitate, enhance and support the recruitment, retention and advancement of First Nations people in the skilled trades.
The Sioux Lookout Area Chiefs, Job Connect, the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, Aboriginal Human Resource Development Council of Canada (AHRDCC), Confederation College, Northwestern Ontario Building and Construction Trades Council and the Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre by way of letters of support support the CAAR Initiative.
SLAAMB will work with the Apprenticeship office in Kenora (MTCU) to assess the skill levels of the various community members who have worked in the construction field over the last 15 – 20 years without their trade’s certification. After assessing their skill levels, we will prepare them to challenge the various trades’ exams (carpentry, electrical & plumbing). We will also place some people in apprenticeship to obtain their trade’s certification. At the same time, we will deliver pre-apprenticeship and upgrading of employment skills using the internet and video conferencing so people can stay in their home communities while upgrading/improving their skill levels.
This project will give the First Nations People in the area the opportunity to get their trades certification and become part of the future labour force to address the sever lack of trades people.
Last but certainly not least, we thank Human Resources Social Development Canada (HRSDC) for funding this important new initiative. We would ask the provincial Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to come on side with this important project by providing the additional resources needed to help ensure its success and a trades training school here in Sioux Lookout.
For more information, contact:
Mr. Bob Bruyere
SLAAMB Coordinator
(807) 737-4047 or
bbruyere@slaamb.on.ca