Every year the Band of Fisher River offers two-week work projects to nearly the entire community. Having the external HEO training in the same time frame hindered our ability to get more participants.

The delivery was held May 8 to May 12 at the Vera Kirkness Centre for Higher Learning in Fisher River, Manitoba. The program was delivered utilizing a PLAR approach where participants were able to attend only the modules in which they needed training. The Field assessments were held at the same site as the urban pilot, A.P.E Construction in Woodlands, MB. Due to the road restrictions, the transportation of equipment to the community was not possible. One of the instructors took a tour of the community, with our local sponsor, to estimate the availability of local equipment to use for assessment and training purposes. The instructor reported that any available equipment was outdated and not utilized in the labour market anymore. The other available equipment that he viewed was in need of repair and not safe.

It is also important to note that accommodation is required for any outside trainers who travel to provide rural delivery. The Education authority allowed the use of an apartment that had been available for a previous sponsored program. The cost of the First Aid Certification was higher than the urban delivery to account for the travel costs of the instructor. The First Aid Training Company would only agree to a minimum number of participants for the rural delivery. Typically this would not be cost effective, because there would rarely be 10 people all wanting this training in a remote area. The suggestion to consider is sending the job seeker individually, or in small groups, to an urban area for First Aid training. Even with covering mileage costs this is a less expensive option.

In analyzing the program overall, the success of the program can be measured in ways similar to the urban delivery. First, the participant selection process allowed people to self-assess their suitability for working in construction before entering into any employment or training situations, therefore saving both time and money for themselves and potential employers. The Fisher River participants felt they clearly saw what was required and if they were willing and suitable for the work. Secondly, by developing a modularized program, participants took only the training they required, which again saved time and money. Thirdly, the program clearly illustrated the employability skills required in the workplace and the participants all demonstrated a sound willingness and capability to work in the construction sector.