Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association (PGNAETA) : Trades Access Program
Since 2008, PGNAETA’s Trades Department has offered 12 Trades Access Programs (TAP) as the only Access service of its kind in Canada. The initial program was offered as a pilot with great success with twelve (12) participants starting and 11 successfully completing all components of the program.
Our services are described in four (4) main categories: assessment, trades access program, trades industry safety certification and trades entry. Trades staff work with Aboriginal citizens to assist with their trade choices and individualized action plans.
The services enable Aboriginal citizens who reside within the urban community the opportunity to engage in planning for a lifelong career in a trade.
The 12 week access service is designed to offer the participants multiple levels of education and training to following through to secure a seat in the foundational trade courses with participating colleges and / or training institutes.
The trade department services are as follows;
Assessment
Each client entering the trades department registering to determine what their short and long term education, training and employment goals are for the future. The general registration process includes the following registration package;
√ Participant Information Form – PIF
√ Service Needs Determination
√ Client Risk Assessment
√ Client Statement
√ Test of Workplace Essential Skills – TOWES Assessment (pre and post)
√ Pre-EMAT (English and Math Admissions Test)
√ Myers – Briggs
Trades Access
The four (4) 12 week soft skills, workplace essential skills, trades Math and English, pre & post EMAT tests, industry speakers with potential employment opportunities.
Safety Certification
Safety certification to include 1st aid, transportation endorsement, H2S Alive, construction safety (confined space / working at elevations / hearing test, etc), required safety gear and on occasion a forklift certificate.
Trades Entry
The fourth module of the access initiative is to help participants to secured employment.
Program content, especially the ES training , is tailored to the specific trade participants are seeking. Each student completes an Individual Enhance Plan outlining their ES skill needs (based on ES assessment and occupational ES requirements). The IEP is used to track participant progress over the 12 weeks.
Upon completing the TAP, the participants continue to focus on their individualized action plans which may consist of securing their adult dogwood certificate, completing college entrance pre-requisites, securing employment and / or all three (3) of the action plans at once, which has occurred with many of the previous TAP graduates.
Karen Hunt, Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association
250-561-1199
198 Kingston Street Prince George, British Columbia V2L 1C3
Initiative Impact
Program Impact including key results or outcomes:
Track client completion of all components; Industry Soft Skills, Essential Skills, Plato, Industry Based Certification, Employability Skills, & Computer
Track Participant’s achievement of identified trades career goals and ES acquisition as outlined in their IEP
Participants evaluate program
Monitor clients completion rates, progress and status (employment or continued education/training ): 6, 12 and 24 week follow up.
When participants achieve their maximum goals and complete their progressive action plans, the staff required to fulfill this initiative with the Manager, Team Leader and Job coach. A highly motivated team whose utmost objective is the success of each client who registers with the program.
The program has been on-going for 11 years. It has been delivered 12 times and has an 80% completion rate.
Participant may have the following challenges: addiction, no driver’s license and may have Fear of Success.
Participants are ready & willing to further their education or to go to work in the Trades Industry. They are especially excited about the potential to find trades-related work in the regionally based industries.
Incorporation of Essential Skills
Program content, especially the ES training is tailored to the specific trade participants are seeking. Essential skills are integrated throughout the course modules.
Program Modules- Each participant will complete the following four program modules:
Module I – Setting the Foundation: Industry Soft Skills / Communication / Conflict Resolution / Time Management/ Team Building / ITA – Trades Exploration / Resume Development / Interview Skills
Module II – Industry Required Safety Training: Safety Certificates include: OFA L1 + TE / Construction Safety / Safety Gear
Module III – Essential Skills Building / Life Skills: Essential Skills / TOWES / Plato Online Training / Trades Math and English Instruction / Life Skills and Personal Management Skills/College Entrance Prep.
Module IV – Industry: Job Shadowing / Mentorship / Field Visits
TOWES Pre and post assessments
Pre- and post EMAT (English and Math Admissions Test)
Project Components
PGNAETA is an indigenous organization mandated to serve the Aboriginal community in the field of Human Resource Development in the Prince George geographical region. The Territory encompasses 17 First Nations Territories, 1 Urban and 12 Rural settings.
Guided by Chiefs, Urban leaders, Employment practitioners and Aboriginal citizens, we work collaboratively to aid the Aboriginal workforce to participate in the shifting labour market in today’s economy.
In the Trades Access program Industry Soft Skills includes programming on Identity both personal and cultural. Program content covers history of Indigenous Education including the long term impact of residential schools on Indigenous peoples learning.
A highly motivated team whose utmost objective is the success of each client who registers with the department.
Our staff qualifications include:
Essential Skills Certified Practitioner, Myers Briggs Certified Practitioner, Towes Test Administrator, Diploma of Excellence in Life Skills Coaching, Human Relations & Family Counseling,
17 First Nations communities who refer participants and act in an advisory capacity.
• Burns Lake Band
• Cheslatta Carrier Nation
• Kwadacha Band
• Lake Babine Nation
• Lheidli T’enneh Band
• McLeod Lake Band
• Nadleh Whut’en Band
• Nak’azdli First Nation
• Nee Tahi Buhn Band
• Saik’uz First Nation
• Skin Tyee Band
• Stellat’en First Nation
• Takla Lake First NationTl’azt’en Nation
• Tsay Keh Dene Band
• Wet’suwet’en First Nation
• Yekooche First Nation