Ten participants from the Saulteau First Nations received the training they need for jobs in their communities, thanks to a federal-provincial partnership under the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement.

Approximately $91,000 was allocated to Thompson Rivers University (TRU) to deliver the Construction Craft Worker (CCW) Level One training project for participants from the Saulteau and West Moberly First Nations, so they can pursue career opportunities on the Site C Clean Energy Project. The training was delivered in partnership with the Industry Training Authority (ITA), CLAC (Christian Labour Association of Canada), BC Hydro and Peace River Hydro Partners (PRHP).

The training started this fall and ended recently in November. Ten out of the 12 participants enrolled successfully completed their training, and will soon start their jobs at PRHP working on the Site C project.

Today, Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier, along with representatives from the Saulteau First Nations, Thompson Rivers University, ITA, CLAC, BC Hydro and PRHP, celebrated the students’ success with a graduation ceremony in Moberly Lake. At the ceremony, the graduates received hard hats and safety vests from PRHP that they can use in their future positions. 

This training project is part of an investment of more than $12 million for 49 training projects benefiting approximately 2,000 British Columbians throughout the province, thanks to funding provided through the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement under the Employer-Sponsored Training stream.

The skills training projects support B.C.’s regional labour-market demands and provide opportunities to youth, women, Aboriginal people, immigrants and other eligible participants to receive training as well as industry-recognized certificates or credentials.

Through the Canada Job Fund, the Government of Canada provides $500 million annually to the provinces and territories for investments in skills training. Under the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement, the province receives a total of $65 million per year—its per-capita share of the available funding.

The Canada-B.C. Job Fund helps ensure training programs give individuals the skills to enter and succeed in the job market. The Employer-Sponsored Training stream provides funding for project-based, time-limited, employer-driven training that leads to a job at the end of training.

This includes targeted projects delivered by Aboriginal service providers, post-secondary institutions, industry associations, community groups, and private trainers that meet regional labour-market needs. Employers also provide either financial or in-kind contributions to support the training.

Quotes:

Mike Bernier, MLA for Peace River South —

“I’m excited about the Construction Craft Worker program delivered by Thompson Rivers University for the Saulteau First Nations and the West Moberly First Nations in our community. We’re expecting 5,400 job openings for construction trade helpers and labourers by 2025. The students who are graduating from the CCW program today are already well on their way to pursue these careers, thanks to the training they just completed."

"This project was a great example of how our First Nations community, TRU, CLAC and industry partners are working together to support our Aboriginal residents in their training and future careers.” 

Nathan Parenteau, Chief of Saulteau First Nations –

“Providing education employment and career training initiatives such as the Construction Craft Workers (CCW) Program are excellent opportunities for our Nation. We recognize that there is an immediate need for capacity growth by both our nation and industry partners and our strategies are customized to meet the needs of the community.”  

“We are responding to direct economic and labour opportunities, especially in the skilled trades which is in high demand in the Treaty 8 Territory (specifically the Peace Region).  The Saulteau First Nations have made a commitment to building capacity to ensure the future health and welfare of our community; we see the need to support training that leads directly to employment opportunities for our members.”

Baldev Pooni, interim dean of trades and technology, Thompson Rivers University –

“TRU has built a strong relationship with the Saulteau Nations, and our industry partners, CLAC and PRHP.  These valued connections demonstrate the positive impact of training when communities, education and industry partners come together. We are proud to contribute to enabling BC residents to gain the skills for the new economy, and build rewarding careers in their local communities.”

Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority –

"We're very excited to celebrate this great milestone with the graduates of the Saulteau First Nations. Innovative training delivery models such as CLAC's virtual classroom training system is integral to reaching remote communities and ensuring that First Nations students have access to trades training close to home. We look forward to seeing these graduates progress through their apprenticeships and onto successful careers."

Larry Richardson, training director of CLAC-BC –

“Training to employment programs are successful because of positive working relationships with all partners involved. Working with the Saulteau First Nations, PRHP, Thompson Rivers University, and the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training has been incredibly rewarding and I’m grateful for everyone’s contributions to the program. On behalf of CLAC, I’d like to wish the students all the success in their training and future employment.”

Jessica McDonald, president and CEO, BC Hydro –

“Congratulations to the 10 Saulteau First Nations’ members who have completed the Construction Craft Worker Level 1 program. We’re very pleased that the graduates will have the opportunity to work as apprentices on the Site C project.”   

“BC Hydro would like to commend Saulteau First Nations, CLAC, the Industry Training Authority and Peace River Hydro Partners, our main civil works contractor, for working together to develop a successful and innovative approach to providing meaningful skills training-to-employment opportunities for Aboriginal communities.”

Ardith Brule, director of human resources, Peace River Hydro Partners –

“Creating local jobs, building capacity for future employment and providing training opportunities are core values of PRHP when it comes to employment and job creation on this project. The training to employment program with CLAC hits all those values.”

Quick Facts:

• The CCW program utilized an innovative virtual classroom training system (VCTS) by CLAC, which connected students with top instructors in B.C. without having to travel to another location for their training,
• This innovative approach enhanced the students’ capacity for current and future employment while remaining in their community.
• PRHP is a partnership between ACCIONA Infrastructure Canada Inc., Petrowest Corporation, and Samsung C&T Canada Ltd., the main civil works contractor on the Site C Project.
• Construction trade helpers and labourers are at the top of the list of in-demand LNG occupations, with an anticipated demand of 11,800 construction trade helpers and labourers by 2018.
• B.C. is expecting almost one million job openings by 2025.
• According to the B.C. 2025 Labour Market Outlook, up to 54,600 job openings are expected in the North Coast and Nechako, Northeast and Cariboo regions by 2025.
• Almost 80% of job openings in B.C. will require post-secondary education.
• The B.C. government invests more than $7.8 billion each year in education and training.
• Through B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, $3 billion in training investments will be redirected to in-demand jobs over the next 10 years.

Learn More:

Construction Craft Worker: http://www.itabc.ca/program/construction-craft-worker-labourer

Canada Job Fund: http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/training_agreements/cjf/index.shtml   

British Columbia’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/skills 

B.C. Labour Market Outlook 2025: https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/B-C-s-Economy/Reports.aspx