Joint Training and Enployment Task Force.
Firefighter training first initiative to launch in Whitecourt and Woodlands Region.
With a spirit of collaboration and cooperation, regional stakeholders have facilitated the creation of a new task force with an eye on providing training and employment to those who wish to serve their respective communities or gain meaningful employment with various safety and municipal fire services located in Whitecourt and Woodlands region.
The Joint Training and Employment Task Force ( Task Force) is made up of many organizations including:
• MINISTRY OF LABOUR.
• NORQUEST COLLEGE.
• LIVING WATERS SCHOOL DIVISION.
• WOODLANDS COUNTY.
• WHITECOURT FIRE DEPARTMENT / TOWN OF WHITECOURT.
• NEW VENTURE SAFETY.
• SCOTT SAFETY.
• HSE INTEGRATED.
• SAFETY BOSS.
• BROGAN SAFETY.
Art Bauer, Summer Off Campus Education Coordinator, Living Water Regional Div. # 42 over the last two years he has worked closely with NorQuest College to develop a firefighter training program for high schools, coordinated with the Whitecourt Fire Department.
The program was recently announced at a local Business Support Meeting by Bauer and an employability aspect was identified for local service companies who are routinely short staffed with regard to local, trained firefighters for their oilfield operations.
“We are excited to see the first training session to take place this August,” explains Ed Kohel, Manager Public Safety and Health at NorQuest College. “The program is open to anyone wanting training and employment with any of the organizations in the Task Force”.
Making the program even more attractive is that government funding exists for employers seeking to train employees in the program. Kristy Tuts – Ministry of Labour added her expertise to the Task Force informing employers of funding that is available to the group.
“This is a very exciting initiative. It is excellent to see employers come together to identify and address their joint common workforce recruitment challenges,” Tuts explains. “It makes complete sense to provide training programs locally, increase the skills of our local workers and youth, to ensure we have a workforce that can meet the labour demands of our employers. This partnership demonstrates that much more can be accomplished when working together, verse in a silo.”
Marc Chayer, who acts as the Co- Chair for the Task Force explains that this type of training is a valuable asset to the region, interested students and employers, “With funding in place, jobs waiting and based locally, this turns into a Win/ Win for everyone. Add the element of having those same individuals serve our communities as firefighters, and this turns into something special. The work done by Norquest College, Art Bauer and Chief Wynn of the Whitecourt Fire Department really paved the way for this to expand to be used by potential students and employers.”