Unconventional choices

Page 30

If you're an Aboriginal women considering a career in the trades, the Secwepemc Cultural Education Society has a program designed for you.

The Aboriginal Women in the Trades (AWIT) course is offered as part of the society's Aboriginal Apprenticeship and Industry Training programming, (AAIT), aimed at increasing the number of Aboriginal people in the trades and technology workforce.

The AWIT program is 20 weeks long, and provides participants with a basic introduction to a variety of trades. At the end of the program, students will have gained entry-level skills in plumbing and pipefitting, welding, automotive service, wood processing, residential electrical, power engineering, motion picture and theatre, carpentry and finishing carpentry, and small engine repair.

"It's an introduction to all the different trades, and what's available," explained Don Pongracz, programs co-ordinator with AAIT.

Safety training and certification are also offered as part of the program, along with trades-related math, computer training and blueprint reading.

The AWIT program also provides participants with information they'll need to get a job, such as how to research and write a covering letter and resume, and how to research the labor market.

A number of personal development courses are also included as part of the program, including self-defence, self-esteem, practical assertiveness and time management.

The student's time during the program is divided between in-class studies, and hands-on learning. Students also go on field trips to work sites to see the trades in action, and have people involved in the various sectors come in and make presentations.

Participants in the program should have at least completed their Grade 10, because that is the minimum educational requirement for entering into most trades.

Pongracz, along with program director Rob Egan, came up with the concept of offering the AWIT program.

"We thought it would be a great thing to introduce the Aboriginal women to non-conventional trades," Pongracz said.

He spoke about the anticipated shortage of employees in the trades, with the number of trades people retiring in the next few years expected to outstrip the number of new workers coming on line, and how that shortage could translate into more job prospects for Aboriginal women.

"There's going to be 700,000 new jobs in the province of British Columbia by 2008, they figure. And so I thought it would be a great opportunity to get the Aboriginal women involved into the trades. They'll make a decent living then," Pongracz said.

The second group of students to take the course is wrapping up their studies, and will be graduating Feb. 15. The first class graduated last June and, according to Pongracz, a majority of those 12 graduates are either working in a related job, or are continuing their training. Two are just completing their training to become welders, one got a job as housing co-ordinator for her band, and many of the others are working to upgrade their skills.

"It's amazing the change in the participants from the first time you meet them until now when they're just ready to graduate. It's really great," he said. "They're less shy and they're more confident in themselves, in their ability."

For more information about the AWIT program, or any of the other programs offered by AAIT, visit the AAIT Web site at http://www.aboriginaltrades.com, e-mail Don Pongracz or Rob Egan at trades@aboriginaltrades.com, or call them at 250-828-9842.