Pipe fitting project leads to jobs
- EFN Staff | December 18, 2013
A recent graduation of 13 future pipe fitters from the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and George Gordon First Nation was a small but significant event in mid December. Not only did all thirteen that enrolled complete the course, they all have worked lined up in the New Year. Faced with a graying workforce, the Saskatchewan Piping Industry Joint Training Committee is investing in training First Nation people to be the next generation of the builders of Saskatchewan.
Kaine Gladue is from Flying Dust and was asked to speak at the grad on behalf of the students. He has a job lined up in the north in early 2014.
"This course showed me what it is like on site. We helped each other out. We worked as a team to get ahead. If one of us finishes early, we go help another guy out. Working together to achieve a goal," said Gladue. "We got lots of information in this eight week program. We learn stuff that they learn in fourth year at SIAST. When we go out to a work site, we will have a good grasp of what we are doing. When it is time for us to go to SIAST for apprenticeship, we already have a foot in the door. I am feeling very good about the future."
The 13 participants were led by instructor Daniel Moose. He has been a Journeyman since 2010 and has also won a National apprenticeship skills competition. Often times one of only a few First Nations guys on site, now he is teaching the next generation.
"Feels like I have reached a milestone in my career where I can pass on what I know," said Moose. "For advice for these guys, I tell them never be afraid to ask questions. Never quit trying."
Ken Busch, Director of Training at the Saskatchewan Piping Industry Joint Training Committee's Pipe Trades Training Centre in Saskatoon, sees the demographic writing on the wall.
"Our membership is getting older. To make sure we have enough people in five years to help build Saskatchewan, we have recruited several new apprentices," said Busch. "And we know the Aboriginal community is fast growing and there is a need for jobs in industries around their communities. The work is not going to slow down."
The training took place at the Pipe Trades Training Centre a 9,000 square foot facility housing a weld shop, a pipe trades shop and class rooms and has been operational since 2011. The program was custom designed at the training centre using the United Associations training manuals and experience in training and taught by Journeyperson members of the union.
"I tell these guys the good careers they can have and how to handle themselves at work and this training Centre is great for that," added Daniel Moose. "But I also tell them how good it feels for me to drive by a project I worked on like the Up Grader in Regina and I can say that I helped build Saskatchewan. Soon they can say that, too."