SLAAMB

Bob Bruyere, Coordinator, SLAAMB

I started in SLAAMB as Co-ordinator

in November 1991 now past 16

years. Over the last year and a half

we’ve done five classes with people

with experience to prepare them to

write the trades exam, so today we

have 4 journeyman Carpenters and 2

journeyman Residential Electricians

and an agreement with Hydro One to

try to get other people into their jobs.

Some issues we faced bringing people

down was the cost of transportation,

the hotel rooms and then people

had pressure from home to supple the

necessary funds to support their families.

And find a way to get fire wood

and to go hunting and pursue their cultural

activities.

What about the language, I know

that many in the north work in their

language when they’re working on

reserve, is that a problem when they

came down to take that C of Q exam?

It was with a few, so we had some of

the staff translate for them. We also

had staff that speak both English and

Oji-cree be available when they wrote

the exam, if they wanted a question

translated.

How many intakes have you had so

far?

We are now in our fifth one but the C

of Q is going to be modified for the

next fiscal year. What we’re thinking

about is having the carpenters stay

home the majority of time and do their

training on the internet, most handson

either in the community or here in

Sioux Lookout.

Are you happy with the turnout of

the program?

I think the program speaks well for

itself. I think it’s been a success and I

know we’re being watched not only

locally but nationally. A lot of organizations

are asking how we did it!

And are you giving away any secrets?

Giving away no secrets! We’re just

sharing our experiences, our mistakes

and the evaluation.

What are the future plans?

Well, the leadership wants to expand

it in our next agreement to include

training of some health professionals

such as lab technicians, medical

records clerks, those types of jobs.

We are, through our recently opened

trades school, we’re going to be

expanding our C of Q to both Natives

from outside the area, and to Non

Natives along with the Confederation

College.

Have you had any females come

onboard wanting training?

We only had one female plumber. It

wasn’t successful for her because she

brought her three children with her

and was too difficult.

So are you looking for support in

that area as well?

In our next agreement with the government

we want to negotiate child

care to try to resolve that issue for all of

the workers.

Final comments would be.. I think

this project is successful not only do we

have an agreement with Hydro One

but other private construction companies

looking to join us in partnerships

along with some mining companies.