Would you do it again?

• Yes, we would do it again. It was very rewarding to see the students develop as the program went on. Their self esteem just increased more and more as time went on. Also, it is gratifying to know that the company is getting good qualified people. It was not always easy going but that is what makes this program such a success knowing that the work paid off.
• Indeed we would. I'd be looking for opportunities for it in our current programming. It is an ideal program. We were very pleased to be a part of it. Debbie was great. It was a bit confusing at first.
• Yes. Next time around, I would monitor it a little more closely. You need to know what you are getting into.
• We'd do it again.

Was it burdensome on the College?

• In the beginning it was burdensome on the CRO because there was no co–ordinator hired and he did a lot of that work. He was the person involved the most because BTG came under contract training which is his responsibility. The only real burden was the time it took for the CRO to travel to all the meetings in Triton and trying to keep the program within budget. Other than that the program was like any other program that the College would offer.
• No I don't think so – not from an ADA point of view. The cost of travel was a burden, but not the time. It was an investment and we were delighted to be able to meet that target community.
• The service that it provided to the community and the good for the students was well worth the effort.
• It was fine. We never lost any money on it. No burden other than dealing with the problems that we had, and they would be avoided in another round. We had to switch instructors and there was some cost for that. The contract itself was fine, regarding budget.
• No more time consuming than any other ordinary contract.

From the Community Learning Networks (CLNs)

Goals for the BTG programs? What do you hope to be the legacies of the BTG process?

• Ultimately, all of us would like to see at the end of the day is employed individuals who can compete for jobs and obtain jobs in the forestry sector. BTG is a mix of theory and practical. Big strength is that it comes to where the people are instead of shipping them out.
• Two sides: Educational side… we have a baseline program in place that can be applied as a structure to other industries. Big piece is that it is in the community. For the participants – that they change their whole mindset of industry and education will change that they are no longer independent fishermen but are to be employed. Big difference. And a big transition to working for someone else.
• Similar to what they have said. At the end of the day, the employer will be satisfied with the trained workers we are providing here. Participants want success on an individual level. Whether they work with these employers or others, their confidence is increased. A way to do training in the future in other industries.
• Ditto – definitely want to see the participants employed at the end of the day, increase their education level, increase their self–esteem and confidence. Seeing a difference on that already. Would love to be able to see something like this again. Participants just wouldn't be able to go elsewhere to get the training.
• Target low level learners to enter into informal skills/academic training:
  • provide local economy with skilled workforce, targeting industries/business with labour market challenges.
  • create an environment of learning, which provides opportunity for everyone at various learning development stages.