April 2023
Supportive environment
“Relentless support.” That’s how the GDI Indigenous Apprenticeship program staff members describe its approach. In just two powerful words, they sum up the uniqueness of the program – what makes it special and why the participants, referred to as ‘clients,’ achieve success. When exploring further into what the program involves, there’s a realization that the scope is wide, with many layers and options.
Three of the program’s leaders, Audrey, Randi and Bonnie, enthusiastically share information about the journey and options for those who get involved. They describe what is meant by relentless support – to provide the client support throughout their learning and employment journey. The GDI Indigenous Apprenticeship program is a comprehensive program designed to support Indigenous people to succeed in their chosen trades. One of the key features of the program is its emphasis on building relationships with clients and providing ongoing support. The program is designed so that GDI employment counsellors walk alongside the client through their entire journey – pre-employment training, apprenticeship and indenturing, acquiring journeyman tickets, and upskilling later on. The program also works closely with employers to identify job opportunities and ensure clients can access meaningful apprenticeships that align with their interests and goals.
“The types of skills training offered serve the trades sector across the board. It’s all about job creation”, says Audrey, Director of GDI Training & Employment.
Program training is offered at 12 service offices throughout the province and virtually. In addition, the program provides temporary travel or relocation support if skill training requires in-person learning and a client is remotely based.
Clients range from those new to the trades industry and interested in starting a career to clients who are already trained and need upskilling.
The support is unique for each client. “It isn’t a one size fits all approach,” the director says. “It’s formulated to acknowledge the skills and knowledge the individual already has, then determine what is needed to be job-ready or to advance in a job, even if it’s earning a GED for employment requirements. Whatever makes the best sense for each person – discover the barriers and needs and find the services to fill or overcome them.”
There is also entrepreneurial training for those interested in starting and owning a business. Monthly check-ins from the employment counsellors to students and employers ensure everyone is on track and getting what they need.
Oẏateki’s involvement and impact
The care and support for the clients that are the foundation of this program align with the similar values and wraparound support work of the Oẏateki Partnership. Becoming one of the funded projects of the Oẏateki Partnership has helped GDI continue to provide a full spectrum of support for their clients.
Since 2010, GDI has delivered three different apprenticeship programs. Each iteration of GDI Apprenticeship programming has taken best practices and industry direction to refocus and improve, creating new projects tailored to the market needs of the day. The latest iteration of the program funded through Oẏateki began in 2021 and is slated to sunset by 2026.
“The Oẏateki Partnership came along at just the right time, injecting funds into the project.”, Randi says. “Their support allows GDI to make the decisions that impact the communities.”
“It creates an environment for GDI to use our expertise not in just the standard way but a successful way.”, adds Audrey.
Experience gained from the project’s first years gave GDI directors insight into where gaps in support were occurring. They knew that full-journey support of the student while in studies or training wasn’t just about getting the needed books or supplies. It also means ensuring the student has enough food, transportation, and wellness support for a healthy lifestyle and stability. Funding from the Oẏateki Partnership helped GDI fill those gaps a lot more easily to provide a better pathway, help remove barriers and build a healthy foundation toward greater success in work and studies.
Funding from the Partnership also helped create a first-of-its-kind training in a joint project with Morris Interactive. They developed a pre-employment training program on digital technical skills for potash mining. The first cohort of 10 clients was trained and completed the requirements with a 2-week practicum at a potash mine. This training will help the graduates with employment in many trades roles that support the mining industry, such as scaffolders, electricians, plumbers, and millwrights, to name a few.
Creating a rewarding and reciprocal cycle
The greatest proof of the ongoing success in creating positive change for education and employment is in the stories of those affected. The GDI Indigenous Apprenticeship Program has created over 1,400 jobs and indentured 600 new apprentices.
One great example the directors shared is about a past graduate who is now the proprietor of Meadow Lake Truck & Trailer, Dean Gauthier. The business owner began his pathway in the GDI Adult Basic Education course. After graduating, he enrolled in the Institute’s Heavy Equipment Truck and Transportation Technician Program in Prince Albert, was indentured as an apprentice, then successfully gained journeyman status in the 4-year program. But he wasn’t done yet, so he decided to complete the entrepreneurial course and start his own trucking business. Now he pays it forward to the next wave of students by partnering as an employer with GDI and hiring apprentices in the Indigenous Apprenticeship program.
“A flexible and responsive partner is appreciated,” the staff say. It enables them to be more agile and responsive, like removing the paperwork restrictions associated with other funders that previously would slow them down. The help of Oẏateki allows them to move with the fluidness of the market needs and the ups and downs of the economy and respond well to the needs of both the student and the employer. That is the overarching goal of this program, it seems, to stay flexible in answer to what the clients need and be there every step of the way.
What message would Audrey, Randi and Bonnie send to potential clients? The answer comes easily, “We’re here to help you through the whole journey.”
Learn more about the Indigenous Apprenticeship program on the Gabriel Dumont Institute website: www.gdins.org/career-and-employment/indigenous-apprenticeship-program or contact them toll-free with your questions at 1 (877) 488-6888 or via email at apprenticeship@gdins.org.
Nolan Greyeyes in training for an Auto Body and Collision Technician career.