Report & Resource Guide
Integrating Essential Skills into Training Materials
Courtney Fidler of BC Hydro Generation described the employment program pilot project on which she is working. BC Hydro started a program called Youth Trade for Hire as a province wide initiative. For two years the Bridge River facility participated in the program as it was initially designed and now, in consultation with the local community, they have developed a unique approach that will incorporate a scholastic component targeting First Nations youth, who make up most of the local community. In planning the program, Hydro consulted with a number of organizations including Manitoba Hydro, taking particular interest in the MB Hydro program in which a group of women was mentored through trades training over a five year period.
Courtney outlined the program design and some of the factors taken into consideration during development. The Hydro plant at Bridge River works on a compressed schedule of four long days followed by three days off. The longer day allows for two groups of students to work through the program as each group can attend a half day of school and a half day of work, but it is a long day for those unaccustomed to this type of schedule. The program has a 2 – 1 ratio of students to instructor so there is ample opportunity for students to get the help they need. Students coming into the program initially work to define both their scholastic and trades goals.
The entire cost of the program is covered through BC Hydro’s Strategic Workforce Planning program and the focus is on triple bottom line accounting; that is, developing a business case that takes into account environmental (waste management, energy consumption etc.), social (workplace issues, human rights etc.) and economic (wages, community development etc.) factors in both the short term and in the long term.
Following her presentation Courtney opened the floor to discussion. She was very interested in an exchange of ideas and suggestions that might help in ensuring the program is a success. Delegates expressed interest in receiving an update on the success of the program at the end of the summer.