Trade Classes At Eel Ground First Nation Will Give Back To Community
EEL GROUND, N.B. — The Eel Ground First Nation on the Miramichi River hosted a 14-week program over the last three months to teach a group of seven students about the skilled trades with the goal of giving back to the community.
Katelyn MacDonald, the STEP coordinator for MAP Strategic Workforce Services, said the organization has always wanted to ensure the New Brunswick workforce is diverse and keeps “underrepresented” groups at the top of mind.
“We knew we wanted to reach out to our First Nations communities in New Brunswick,” said MacDonald. “Eel Ground reached out to us and with our partnership with our First in Trades program that we have under our organization, we were able to put on this STEP class.”
A STEP class, which stands for Skilled Trades Exploration Program, allows students to explore the skills needed for electrical, plumbing and carpentry work. In partnership with the New Brunswick Community College, instructors walk students through math, safety and development skills.
MacDonald said her organization was very excited to see the interest in the classes when Eel Ground reached out. It’s the first class of its kind being held in the First Nation, and Map Strategic Workforce Services looks forward to helping students give back to their community.
“Going forward, we’re excited to work with other First Nations communities as well,” she said. “But just the project at Eel Ground to develop a team of their own of skilled trades is very exciting.”
After students graduated from the program, which took place on June 4, they will work together to create a shed that will be brought back to Eel Ground and used at their local food centre. MacDonald feels it’s an opportunity that more Indigenous communities should have access to around New Brunswick.
“I think it’s important to offer it so they’re able to get in and use the skills that they’ve always been interested in [and] having that opportunity to explore these trades,” said MacDonald.
The graduation ceremony was attended by various community and council members, including Eel Ground Chief George Ginnish. Staff and students interacted with attendees to discuss the program, and community and council members expressed gratitude that the participants could now fill roles in various construction projects that will grow the community.
Ann Drennan, vice-president academic and research at NBCC, said skill development training is crucial. Offering these classes to Indigenous residents at Eel Ground is a way to reach as many people as possible because some might not have the time or money to attend college, she said.
“We want to reach as many New Brunswickers as possible, to encourage them into post-secondary,” said Drennan. “That’s why we are more than happy to go into communities and offer short, snappy programs that potentially encourage folks.”
Drennan said courses like Skilled Trades Exploration Program Indigenous (STEPI) also help to build confidence among students. It gives them the chance to get a trial run in skilled trade careers to see if it’s something they enjoy. Then, students could pursue jobs in that field or continue further education at universities or colleges.
“We love to see and encourage learners to come to understand programs, to give them an opportunity to let them see what students may want to become,” she said.
“It’s a path to a career that didn’t exist before the program.”
MAP Strategic Workforce Services has now started recruiting for its second STEPI class in the fall, which will take place at the Esgenoôpetitj First Nation. The deadline to apply is June 30, and more information is available on the Skilled Trades Exploration Program’s Facebook page.
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Aaron Sousa is a summer intern for Huddle. Send him story suggestions: [email protected].