November 24, 2008

Skills Training

Terasen leads joint utility construction boot camp for First Nations youth

Terasen Gas is leading a joint utility construction boot camp for First Nations youth interested in employment in the utility construction industry.

“Participants will learn from hands-on experience alongside long-time Terasen Gas employees and other industry experts,” said Jan Marston, Terasen Gas vice president, human resources and operations governance.

“The knowledge and skills they develop will make them strong candidates for employment in the industry, and will also lay a foundation for further education in the skilled trades.”

Members of the Seabird Island Indian Band and Sto:lo Tribal Council are participating in current sessions, taking place Nov. 3 to Dec. 12 in Agassiz, B.C., just outside of Hope.

“The Aboriginal labour marketplace is a fast-growing sector of the B.C. economy,” said Chief Clem Seymour of Seabird Island Band.

“Many First Nations communities are located in northern, rural or remote regions of the province, which means they have a unique advantage as companies recognize the benefits of hiring locally.”

He sees other benefits to the arrangement.

“By working in partnership with Terasen Gas and other industry partners, we’re ensuring that our community’s unique values and perspectives are incorporated into the program — maximizing our youth’s opportunity for success in B.C.’s 21st century economy,” he said.

Band members from the Chemainus First Nation participated in a pilot program this past June, with all participants passing a provincially-recognized construction safety exam.

“The program gave us the opportunity to learn in a flexible and supportive environment and that worked for me,” said David Harris, a member of the Chemainus First Nation and boot camp graduate.

“I found that I was able to build on my knowledge by asking a lot of questions and practicing my skills out in the field, and the certifications I achieved through the program have proved useful.”

Terasen Gas developed the Utility Construct Boot Camp training program, with support from the Province of British Columbia.

It is a partnership between several B.C. utilities and Aboriginal community representatives, with Sto:lo Nation Human Resources Development providing partial funding for the current session with the Seabird Island Indian Band. Additional sessions are planned for communities throughout the province over the next 12 months.

JOC News Service

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