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Local Trade Winds programming gets a boost

Local Indigenous students interested in the Trade Winds to Success Training Society program could soon have more options to choose from after the provincial government announced half-a-million in funding to the pre-apprenticeship program.

Local Indigenous students interested in the Trade Winds to Success Training Society program could soon have more options to choose from after the provincial government announced half-a-million in funding to the pre-apprenticeship program.

The Bonnyville Trade Winds centre could see two more program options come their way following the announcement. Well servicing and scaffolding programs have been considered in the past, and could become a reality for Bonnyville and area Trade Winds students.

The $500,000 grant is funded partially through Alberta Advanced Education, to the tune of $300,000. Indigenous Relations contributed the remaining $200,000. This funding will be spread across the Calgary, Edmonton, and Bonnyville offices.

“Trade Winds to Success is honoured to receive this support from the Alberta government. This grant will help us to provide the tools and resources that Indigenous students need to be successful in the trades and to create positive change in their lives,” stated Kathleen Thompson, interim executive director for Trade Winds.

The Trade Winds to Success program offers classroom and hands-on learning for students pursuing careers as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, welders, or insulators. It also incorporates Indigenous cultural practices to meet the needs of its students.

“Alberta is working to make life better for Indigenous peoples by ensuring they have every opportunity to participate in all aspects of the labour force and economy,” Alberta Minister of Indigenous Relations Richard Feehan said.

He continued, “Indigenous people are vital to maintaining a strong and stable workforce and this program will help address some of the barriers faced by Indigenous people in fully participating in Alberta's economy.”

The local programming is run through a partnership between Trade Winds, Alberta Labour Training Trust Fund, Tribal Chiefs and Plumbing Training Services Association, and Northeast Alberta Apprenticeship Initiative (NAAI).

Rick Janvier is the local program manager for the NAAI, and said the funding is vital for the Trade Winds Bonnyville location.

“It's important for our partnership because this funding covers a lot of the costs that some of these individuals can't cover. For example, some of the academic preparation,” he noted.

The benefit goes beyond the students, their families, and Trade Winds, Janvier added.

“Everybody benefits from these programs; the community, the individual, and the economy, because we have the people trained, willing, and able to go to work.”

Marlin Schmidt, Alberta Minister of Advanced Education said, “We're helping Albertans get the right skills and education needed for good-paying jobs as our economy rebounds. Our funding means Trade Winds to Success can continue providing these pre-apprenticeship skills to Alberta's Indigenous peoples as they prepare for rewarding careers.”

The well servicing and scaffolding programs would incorporate the use of some of the local businesses. When they would start and the details of the programs have to still be determined.

The current Bonnyville 14-week Trade Winds program features a two-week orientation, economic preparation, construction craft training, and the tiny home project.

The training is free to students, but they do need to cover travel and living expenses. In order to be eligible someone must be 18 years or older and an Indigenous person with Grade 10 math, English, and science.

“They need to be ready, willing, and able to go to work. That's what we are looking for,” said Janvier.

After completing the classroom portion of their training, students will work in their own communities building a tiny home. The tiny home has the students working on their carpentry, electrical, plumbing, flooring, and painting skills.

Once they have finished their pre-apprenticeship training, they will start working with the NAAI to find employment for their apprenticeship.

Janvier helps them build their resume, search for jobs, and offers mentoring support.

“We're hoping that we can place these individuals in one of the trades that they're trained in because they do get registered, and then they start their apprenticeship once they're hired,” he explained. “This program is important because it has the ripple affect. The individuals get the skills necessary in order to become self-reliant and self-sufficient.”

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