Large-scale construction projects in Canada, particularly
natural resources-based job sites, are often located in the
most remote regions of the country. Hiring local Aboriginal
workers makes sense in many ways, says Sparks, who calls
the arrangement a “win-win” for both workers and the companies
that employ them.
Not only are Aboriginal workers available in all parts of
the country, but locally sourced employees are more likely to
stay on the job for the long term. Additionally, providing job
opportunities to Indigenous applicants fosters productive
partnerships between Aboriginal communities and industry,
and improves the local economy.
Currently, about one in nine Aboriginal workers earns
a living in a construction-related job, and Sparks said they
exhibit a higher propensity to move into construction careers
compared to their non-Aboriginal counterparts. It’s an area
that certainly merits exploration and development.
Showcasing talent
Glen Strong is community relations and training coordinator
at Points Athabasca, a contracting company owned by the
seven Aboriginal communities of Northern Saskatchewan’s
Athabasca Basin. Known as a rich source of uranium deposits,
the region is also home to a harsh climate and a population
that is about 90 per cent Aboriginal.
Headquartered in Saskatoon, Points Athabasca was
founded in 1999 to capitalize on northern Saskatchewan’s
economic development. As an arm of Athabasca Basin
Development – a unique partnership between the three First
Nations communities of the region as well as the four provincial
communities – Points Athabasca’s mission is simple:
build capacity by providing opportunities to hire Aboriginal
workers from the regions where it works, and to leave behind
a legacy of education and training once the job is done.
“Recently we’ve continued to develop the uranium mines
in Northern Saskatchewan and diversified to a lot of capital
construction jobs throughout the rest of the province,” said
Strong. “We excel in site service work; not only is it a great
service for our clients, but we’ve also had a lot of success in
building capacity through this type of work.”
Strong said contracting jobs are usually filled by accessing
a database of workers supplied by Athabasca Labour Services.
If suitable candidates aren’t found, Points Athabasca can
access other lists through related partner organizations.
When it comes to hiring an Aboriginal workforce, Strong
says there are many benefits.
“These folks are hard workers. You have to see them in
their own setting to really experience that,” he said, adding
that Aboriginal people are intelligent, resourceful, innovative
and adaptable. “I don’t think they’ve shared their skills
enough with the world. We are a showcase for their talent; we
will work with the Aboriginal workforce and we’ll get the job
done. We work with them because we believe in them.”
Scott Powell, manager of public affairs for Manitoba Hydro
– where 45 per cent of the northern provincial workforce is
Aboriginal – agreed that Indigenous hiring programs provide
a win-win solution to staffing shortages.
“Among other things, we get the quality labour we need,”
he said. “Community members receive job experience,
training and employment, and communities themselves
see spin-off benefits from increased spending in local and
regional businesses.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
FEATURE
On-the-job training is a continual focus when developing an Aboriginal workforce
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