Essential Skills - National Adult Literacy Database
Essential Skills - National Adult Literacy Database
Essential Skills - National Adult Literacy Database
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<strong>Essential</strong> <strong>Skills</strong> and the Northern Oil and Gas Workforce Final Report and Resource Guide<br />
Discussion Points<br />
Developing the essential skills of workers has been challenging. One solution has been to<br />
introduce computer-based on-site training and to encourage individuals to upgrade their<br />
literacy and numeracy skills.<br />
The Mackenzie Gas Producer Group is supportive of activities that target the people of the<br />
north. In 2001, industry stakeholders, Aurora College, and the GNWT formed a committee to<br />
determine what training will be necessary in terms of both the technical stream and the<br />
trades’ stream of occupations that will be required during pipeline construction.<br />
In a 2004 targeted recruitment approach, 41 people applied to become apprentices. Of the<br />
41, 22 qualified and out of that group, six apprentices were recruited. Several of the<br />
remaining members of the group of 22 were hired as employees of the oil and gas<br />
companies working in the north. Also through targeted recruitment efforts, 11 learners<br />
entered Aurora technical programs, and one entered NAIT. About 90% of the applicants<br />
were Aboriginals.<br />
At present, there are no programs in place to encourage more women to enter nontraditional<br />
occupations (about 15% of industry employees are women). However, increased<br />
numbers of women are becoming heavy equipment operators, and more women than men<br />
are pursuing post-secondary training in the north.<br />
The issue was raised that companies are not providing enough opportunities for young<br />
apprentices. This seems to be due to a lack of qualified journeypersons willing to take<br />
apprentices. In response, the rules have recently changed to allow one journeyperson to be<br />
responsible for two apprentices. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that it is 3-7 person<br />
businesses that tend to train apprentices and not the larger firms. There was also agreement<br />
that many young people who pass pre-trades programs do not have the employability skills<br />
to succeed on the job. The ARDHA holders are in a position to identify those prospective<br />
apprentices in need of essential skills enhancement and employability skills programs. With a<br />
more coordinated and concerted effort, these problems can be addressed.<br />
Colin MacGregor & Celina Stroeder<br />
W W<br />
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