The Yorkton Tribal Council's labor force development program is about getting unemployed and under employed local First Nations people employment and the opportunity to improve their lives. Wilfred Whitehawk with the YTC recently spoke at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon on the benefits of the program.
There are three different ways that employers can participate in the program. One is a work experience partnership, which runs up to 26 weeks in length, a transition to employment partnership, which runs 16 weeks and ends with the client securing employment upon completion.
The newest program is the apprenticeship partnership, which eventually leads to the employee learning the trade. Whitehawk notes that under this last program, for example, there are clients working at R. Miller's Plumbing and Heating working towards journeyman status, as well as some working with the Department of Highways working towards Heavy Equipment Mechanic journeyman status.
Whitehawk says that there are benefits for both the clients and partners by taking advantage of the program. Clients get valuable experience and employment, while employers are able to expand their workforce and get good employees. One thing that benefits everyone is the ability to keep people local as they look for work or workers.
"The City of Yorkton's economy is getting better each year, taking advantage of the jobs in the area can help keep our workers in the province and help build a workforce, replacing the experience being lost to retirement," Whitehawk says.
Another advantage for employers is that it allows them to get first hand experience with First Nations employees. Whitehawk admits that employee retention is an issue, and part of the problem is the differences in culture. By using the program, it can help employers 'bridge the gap,' something Whitehawk says will be important in the future.
"The First Nations community is one of the fastest growing demographics in Saskatchewan, and Canada in general," Whitehawk says.
The programs take advantage of local education, such as Parkland College and Dreambuilders to help prepare clients for the workplace, as well as resources to help with any culture changes which either side might need to understand to make the program work.
The YTC is open to help with employment issues for both clients and employers, and Whitehawk encourages employers in the region to take part in the program and use their resources and assistance to help grow their own workforce.
