First Nation’s Training and Employment Strategy

Over a two year period from 2012 to 2016, the Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation had developed a training and employment strategy with Ulkatcho First Nation, Stellat’en First Nation, Saik’uz First Nation, Nadleh First Nation and New Gold Inc. We have collectively identified the need to start getting people trained and ready for potential employment should New Gold Inc.’s proposed Blackwater Mine be granted an Environmental Assessment Certificate.

The strategy was developed through a number of working group sessions that included representatives from each of the First Nations and New Gold Inc. The working group sessions were led by Kerry Jothen of Human Capital Strategies. Our efforts and input has led us to an overarching strategy that addresses the needs of our communities in a culturally sensitive, respectful manner. Now that the strategy is complete, we are entering into implementation planning.

Kerry Jothen has been retained by the Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation and Ulkatcho First Nation as project lead. He is assisting us in selecting the appropriate training institutions that will be able to deliver education services to our communities. As it stands we have reached out to a number of institutions including, but not limited to: the College of New Caledonia, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, and Thompson Rivers University. We may contact others as needed.

Once we have an institution selected we will conduct an assessment of each eligible member and find out where they are on a spectrum of employment “readiness”. We are conducting the assessments because we recognize that some people may need a lot of training and education before they are ready to start work, while others are ready for employment, but may only need a few certificates. It is an effective means of identifying areas of need and addressing those needs. In addition to the job readiness assessment, we will also be working with our members to develop a career plan.

The career plan will help identify what it is the candidate would like to do in terms of employment, and determine the steps necessary in order to achieve their desired career. The career plan is an important foundation piece to our strategy as it allows the candidate and the trainers to see the path forward. It also allows us to measure progress of the candidate as they go through training and education.

The goal of the First Nation’s Training and Employment Strategy is to help ensure that our membership has the options available required to achieve their desired career.