Northern Gateway aims to create sustainable work
Encouraging careers: Training fund gives people in Northern B. C. the chance to learn and then earn
Major advances in resource development have presented a generational opportunity to people and communities across British Columbia. If done properly, this boom will be the engine of our future economy, ensuring thousands of family- supporting jobs, as well as the revenue we need to help to pay for our hospitals and classrooms.
But not everyone is in a position to benefit equally. Right now, many across northern British Columbia lack the highly technical skills that will be required to work in the growing resource sector. It means that in the area of our province that should benefit most, we may have people without jobs and jobs without people.
Addressing this labour shortage is the responsibility of everyone — industry, government and the communities themselves.
As a Metis woman born and raised in Northern Saskatchewan, and a former social worker, I understand the importance of community.
For the past 10 years, I have lived and worked in several northern British Columbia communities and recognize that every town and village has its own goals and challenges, and its own road map to prosperity.
As a senior manager at Northern Gateway, I now work every day with community leaders to collaboratively create training solutions that will benefit the community over the short, medium and long term.
This approach is not always easy. It takes listening, understanding and new ways of thinking. But the benefits are unmistakable.
Over the past two years, Northern Gateway has supported over 60 skills and readiness programs, which have directly benefited more than 1,500 people.
Since 2006, Northern Gateway has been supporting skills training programs in northern British Columbia. In early 2012, we created a $ 1.5- million education and training fund to amplify these efforts. Since then, we have grown the fund to $ 3 million — which has also resulted in nearly $ 1 million in matched funds from government, industry and communities. Ultimately, we are helping create a highly- trained local workforce ready to support the growing north. And this is all before the Northern Gateway project is even approved.
If our proposal is successful, it means much of the billions we plan to spend during construction will stay in the communities along the route, supporting families and keeping communities strong as we build Canada’s safest pipeline.
It also means that when the job is done, thousands of workers in these same communities will have skills to last them a lifetime, setting them on a path to rewarding careers so they can earn good wages and provide for their families.
Underpinning our entire approach is a belief in communities, and an understanding that they are the best stewards of their own collective future.
I believe that listening is the best way to ensure that First Nations, Metis and all communities can seize the opportunity that lies before us all. It is the best way to remove barriers because a skilled and prepared workforce equipped with transferable skills is the best way to empower communities.
This approach is very personal. And it requires a true partnership.
Taking our lead from individuals and groups within the community, while also co- ordinating with service providers, we work to make sure people can get the skills that will meet the needs in their community.
It is our honour and responsibility to partner with communities and provide capacity and support as needed to improve education and employment outcomes. By working directly with community leaders we’re also able to build customized approaches to help students take that first step of believing in themselves, and getting the confidence to learn and pursue a career. What we’re doing is by no means revolutionary. But it is important, and I believe it does show.