SLAAMB

My name is Matthew Kakekaspan and I work for SLAAMB as their Project Manager /Employment Counsellor for the Centre for A b o r i g i n a l Apprenticeship Research Project, better known as the CAAR Project. I started this position on September 02, 2008.

CAAR is testing a new approach to skilled trades training for remote First Nations workers in thirty communities comprising of twenty-five SLAAMB communities, four Matawa Tribal Council communities and the community of Lac Suel. This project is a three year pilot project and its aims to test an innovative, distance-based delivery approach to pre-apprenticeship and trades training. Five programs are offered through the project.

Certificate of Qualification Tutoring Program:

Providing trades certification is the primary focus of this project.

Pre-Apprenticeship Program:

The aim of this program is to prepare participants interested in trades training an opportunity to test their abilities in a trade program.

A p p r e n t i c e s h i p Program:

The apprenticeship program provides assistance to area clients to access apprenticepositions with the new Health Centre and Hostel construction.

Labour Pool:

CAAR is also working with the Trades Unions to place interested area members for labour
employment in both construction sites.

General Education Development (GED)

The aim of the program is to provide upgrading opportunities to remote northern members within the CAAR area.

Although the project has not been very successful in trade's certification, the project has provided our members and communities with positive outcomes in other areas.
These include:

We now have two (2) members designated as Domestic and Rural ( R e s i d e n t i a l )
Journeyman Electricians.

We have four (4) members designated as Journeyman Carpenters.

As of October 3, 2008, we have two (2) journeymen carpenters, eight (8) carpenter apprentices, five (5) labourers, two (2) heavy equipment operators, one (1) job site superintendent trainee and one (1) project manager trainee working at both construction sites.

We have a total of three hundred and sixteen (316) First Nation people registered in the project either having taken the C of Q tutoring, pre-apprenticeship/ pre-employment, or looking for work at the construction sites as apprentices, labourers or other work.

Twenty six (26) out of thirty (30) First Nation communities now know more and have a better understanding about apprenticeship, the trades and have the opportunity to participate in various
construction jobs.

There has been spin-offs as the result of this project with discussions/ meetings with mining
and private construction companies as well as Hydro One.

SLAAMB has a working relationship with the fifteen (15) trade unions about employing as many of our First Nation members as possible - This is the first time this type of arrangement has ever been done.

The potential exists in another venue to build upon the success and participation of individuals and to use the voice of the participants as role models.

A new Trades & Skills Centre has been established in Sioux Lookout to continue to offer trades training to area members for years to come.

The project will be offering one final C of Q tutorial class in carpentry starting in April 2009.
This is expected to be longer than what has been offered so far.

For those interested in learning more about the project and its program, please contact any of the CAAR members at 1-800-563-2183, or visit our website at slaamb.on.ca.