Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The first year of the Construction Worker Training Program is well under way. This program will increase the number of northerners with the recognized skills required to work on N.W.T. building construction projects. It was developed by the N.W.T. Construction Association, and the Department of Public Works, with funding and technical assistance from D.P.W., M.A.C.A., Education, and the Housing Corporation. The program is administered by the N.W.T. Construction Association. The program has 42 instructional modules covering a range of skills.
From this construction season, the program is being delivered on projects in three communities, the Fort Simpson Student Hostels, the Pangnirtung Community Learning Centre, and two Coppermine projects, the new education centre, and the renovations, and additions to the health centre. There are 11 participants in the program this year.
The trainees must all be local residents. They are paid an hourly wage. The trainees spend about three weeks in the classroom, and about four months on the job, working under the supervision of a qualified instructor. Trainee candidates are identified by advanced education employment counsellors, in consultation with community representatives. The counsellor then meets with the contractor, who selects the most suitable trainees for that project.
Currently all trainees have completed the classroom sessions, and are now working on site. All reports, to date, from the contractors, trainees, and participating communities, have been positive.
Thank you.