SLAAMB

Bob Bruyere, Coordinator, SLAAMB

I started in SLAAMB as Co-ordinator in November 1991. 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 supply 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 Cof 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.