Demand for qualified scaffolders is on the rise in northwestern B.C.

To help meet this labour-market need and to provide new employment opportunities for Indigenous people, B.C. is funding a new scaffolding training program for members of the Haisla First Nation.

The program will upgrade the skills and qualifications of Haisla members who worked as scaffolders on the Rio Tinto Alcan modernization project which completed in August 2015, as well as individuals with varied experience. The program will be delivered by the British Columbia Regional Council of Carpenters (BCRCC) at the Kitimat Valley Institute as part of an ongoing commitment to build a trained and qualified local workforce to help meet the demand of the scaffold sector of the construction industry.

Scaffolds are temporary structures used to support equipment and material and to provide access for workers in the construction and maintenance of buildings and other facilities. Any maintenance or construction job requires scaffolding to be installed professionally and correctly.

Up to 48 students will participate in classroom sessions and practical hands-on training and evaluation, leaving the three-week training program with increased scaffold technical and safety knowledge that can be applied at the jobsite. A scaffold apprentice is required to complete three levels of training and gain 5,200 on the job hours to be certified as a scaffold journeyperson. The BCRCC’s scaffolding training program meets and exceeds industry standards and is recognized by contractors and industry across the country.

Provincial funding of $211,060 for the Haisla scaffolding training program is being provided through B.C.’s Aboriginal Skills Training Development Fund which is investing up to $30 million over three years in new skills training projects and partnerships.

Offering community-driven skills training is one part of the Province’s efforts to include First Nations communities and Indigenous people in LNG sector opportunities. The Province is also working with First Nations communities on environmental stewardship priorities and financial benefits agreements.

Quotes:

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation —

“This skills training program will provide new pathways to employment for participants and help meet the need for qualified, ticketed, scaffolding staff in northern parts of the province.”

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Labour —

“Investing in initiatives for Aboriginal people is a key commitment of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint. Aboriginal youth are the fastest growing demographic in the province with half under the age of 25, and with the almost one million job openings on the horizon, programs like these will provide them with the skills training and work experience necessary to find their fit in our diverse, strong and growing economy.”

Jason Major, CEO, Haisla Nation —

“The Haisla Nation is pleased to see scaffolding offered in Kitimat for their members. This is another opportunity for them to be ready for the upcoming construction roles.”

Mark Derton, president, B.C. Regional Council of Carpenters —

“The British Columbia Regional Council of Carpenters in partnership with KVI and Steeplejack, have been providing training and employment opportunities for Haisla members since 2012. With the proposed industrial development planned for the Pacific Northwest and Kitimat area, scaffolding will be a growth industry in need of qualified journeypersons and apprentices. We believe in ensuring that Haisla members receive the opportunity and are provided the very best in safety and trades training to help them succeed in their careers as scaffolders.”

Sherrie Little, CEO, Kitimat Valley Institute —

“KVI is very excited for the opportunity to work with the Haisla Nation and British Columbia Regional Council of Carpenters to provide a place for the training to occur. This is an excellent starting point for the Haisla and community members to earn a recognized designation for construction and residential work in the future.”

Quick Facts:

• Indigenous people are a priority in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint. A key target of the blueprint is to increase Aboriginal workforce participation by 15,000 new workers by 2024.
• During the past year, more than 1,200 First Nations members received training through programs supported by the Aboriginal Skills Training Development Fund. Another 1,000 will be trained in 2016-17.
• To keep the economy diverse, strong and growing, since September 2011, the BC Jobs Plan has been building on the strengths of B.C.’s most competitive sectors utilizing our educated and skilled workforce.

Learn More:

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills

The BC Jobs Plan: engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/

Kitimat Valley Institute: www.kves.ca/

B.C. Regional Council of Carpenters: bcrcc.ca/