Indigenous women take wheel of heavy machinery

A dozen Indigenous women will soon be behind the wheel of heavy machinery thanks to specialized training provided through the Alberta Employment Partnerships Program.

“I wanted to be in one of those machines helping out, being a crew, and now here I am,” said Misty Bull, who graduated from a 12-week heavy equipment operator program with High Velocity Equipment College through the funding partnership. “I’ll be one of those Aboriginal women in the machine out there providing for myself, providing for my family and hopefully helping other women out there also do what I do.”

The provincial government provided $160,888 to the Oteenow Employment and Training Society and the Tribal Chiefs Employment and Training Services Association to offer the program through High Velocity Equipment College delivered on the Enoch Cree Nation to Indigenous women.

Alberta Labour Minister Christina Grey said initiatives like this are an important part of helping the province’s economy rebound from lower oil prices by helping workers diversify their skills.

“A well-educated, well-trained workforce is a key driver of a strong and resilient economy … workers need to have the right skills for the jobs employers are hiring for,” said Grey at a media availability celebrating the graduates on Friday.

“There are many people in this province with tremendous abilities who are unemployed or underemployed and who are not afforded the opportunity to participate in our economy,” Grey said.

“Today, we recognize the strength and determination of Indigenous women … Our government is committed to ensuring there is equality of opportunity for Indigenous women who want to work and find success in our province.”

Added Greg Desjarlais, Tribal Chiefs Employment and Training Services Association board chairman: “We know females in non-traditional occupations can be successful, but they need to be given the opportunity to learn the skills and be able to do so.”

Indigenous Relations Minister Richard Feehan said this program shows the government is taking action to increase Indigenous participation in the workforce.

Graduate Lenaya Houle said without the funding, as a single working mother she could not have afforded to upgrade her skills through a course like this.

“It’s life changing,” she said, encouraging other women to explore opportunities in skilled trades.