Task force seeks solutions to Native unemployment

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Lack of employment for Native people in the oil industry at Cold Lake, Bonnyville and St. Paul and the area is a real concern for Eric Ward, the vice-president and chairman of the Zone 2 Regional Council for the Metis Association of Alberta (MAA).

Recently in Edmonton on a business trip, Ward explained some of the problems that Metis Locals and Native people generally are facing and what they are doing about the lack of employment in the area.

According to Ward, a small task force was put together to try and determine why there is an unwillingness to hire local people by Esso and other major contractors in Bonnyville and Grande Centre. "My understanding is that the major contractors have complete autonomy on who they hire as contractors, or individual employment of personnel."

"What the task force felt is that Esso must bear some of the responsibility of people being hired here and instead were passing the buck," said Ward.

One of the major concerns determined by the task force was the number of Native people employed at Esso. At that time there were approximately 17 Natives employed out of 380 employees.

According to the personnel manager for Esso, the reason for such a low ratio of employed Native people is their lack of education and training. Most jobs available in the oil industry require at least a Grade 12 diploma, "even for the smaller positions."

One of the solutions regarding training, and being discussed today, is the possibility of a satellite technical school, "a spin off from NAIT or SAIT, to supply training specifically geared to the oil industry, commented Ward.

Ward feels that the Lakeland School Division has made an attempt towards training of this nature but they may fall short.

"This would be a good time to begin training Native people, because of the 'slack in the storm'.

"When the oil industry does pick up, then these people would be trained and ready."

At present a study is being done on the feasibility of submitting a proposal, possibly to the Department of Manpower, for such a trade centre being established.

Ward said that other contractors such as Nova and Petro Canada will be contacted for support, and that Esso seems to be willing to supply material and other essentials for training.

Although it is a future possibility that could benefit Native employment, Ward says that the fact remains that at present major contractors like Delta sub-contract work to other contractors, which adds to the problem of Native employment.

"Now, the buck is being passed from the major contractors to the sub-contractors and it is confusing. We believe that the alterative for Native employment still lies with the major employer."

Encouraged to meet with contractors by Esso, Ward says before that happens they will wait and see who gets the contracts.

"We are keeping a close eye on who will receive contracts and what some of the conditions will be."

A follow-up meeting requested by both sides will possibly be held this month although a date for the meeting has not been set. Attending this meeting will be the president of Metis Local 99 in Bonnyville, John Erasmus, the president for the new local 1905 just recently established in St. Paul, Lewis Laboucan, Eric Ward and other representatives from Metis Locals and the Native communities.