Workforce connex - Aboriginal Human Resource Council

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Executive summaryForewordThis report is a summary of findings from the New Brunswick WorkforceConnex forum. The findings outlined in this report are representative of theNew Brunswick participants and have not been altered or analyzed in any way.This summary is focused on the input participants shared duringinteractive roundtable and plenary discussions. The findings will serveas a starting point for the development of new private sector/Aboriginalemployment centre partnerships in the New Brunswick region, andfor the development of the region’s go-forward action plans.The ‘AS SAID’ reports from across the country will be analyzed fortrends that will be captured in a comprehensive and integratednational report that will be used to shape initiatives in AHRC’snational Aboriginal trades and apprenticeship strategy.SynopsisWorkforce Connex is a national forum series that has been designedto increase Aboriginal participation in targeted trades employment andapprenticeship programs. The intent is for the forum is to create, strengthenand leverage regional partnerships and collaborative networks that offerresolve to Aboriginal employment training, recruitment and retention issues.On May 9, 2007, a group of committed stakeholders representing privatesector employers, Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreementholders (AHRDAs), government and educators convened at the NewBrunswick Workforce Connex forum in Saint John, New Brunswick todiscuss ideas and commitments that will increase Aboriginal participationin trades and apprenticeship in the New Brunswick region.The discussion occurred in six stages:Part 1: Opening Address: Claudette Bradshaw, past Minister ofHuman Resource and Social Development Canada and currentlead on the New Brunswick Community Non-Profit Task Force,delivered a very powerful and passionate opening address tostimulate the critical need to advance the Aboriginal workforce.Brunswick labour market and skill shortages in order toprovide participants with context for their discussions.Part 4: Supply/Demand Issues Roundtable: The first part of thediscussion helped Aboriginal employment agencies and the AHRDAcommunity (supply side) understand various employment trendsand challenges that employers face in New Brunswick. To open thediscussion, Alex Dedam, Co-Chair, Joint Economic DevelopmentInitiative provided an overview of AHRDAs in New Brunswick.The second part of the discussion helped employers (demand side) to betterunderstand the foundation, role and employment challenges of AHRDAs,other Aboriginal employment agencies, and their clients in New Brunswick.To open the discussion, a three-person panel provided insight on the joband employment opportunities that exist for Aboriginal people in theirrespective industries. Panel members were; Stan Bear, Community Liaison,Maritime and Northeast Pipeline, Tim Flood, Vice-Chair, Construction SectorCouncil, Rita Hurley, New Brunswick Power Ombudsman, NB Power.Part 5: Keynote: An overview of the Atlantic Policy Congress Roundtablewas delivered by Cheryl Knockwood, Senoir Policy Analyst, AtlanticPolicy Congress of First Nations Chiefs and Penny Polchies, CommunityEconomic Development Advisor, Ulnooweg Development Group.Part 6: Strategies and Commitments: Participants builta list of commitments to ensure the value of the forumwould extend into actions and long-term partnerships.Through the facilitation of local professionals, participants were able toshare their ideas and help each other increase mutual understandingabout the challenges and successes to increase Aboriginal participation inthe New Brunswick labour market. There was a consensus that increasedmomentum is required to drive the connections between the supply side(AHRDAs and Aboriginal organizations) and the demand side (employers).It was recognized that the forum was a beginning; an opportunityto actively and consciously begin to move the agenda forward inNew Brunswick. As a starting point, 39 commitments were made.Part 2: Walk in my Shoes – Personal Connection: In an effortto better understand each other’s challenges, the conversationreversed roles whereby the delegates representing AHRDAs were askedto walk in the shoes of employers and participants representingemployers were asked to walk in the moccasins of AHRDAs.Part 3: Market Highlights: Samuel LeBreton, Senior Economist,Service Canada delivered a presentation on the NewAboriginal Human Resource CouncilNew Brunswick Workforce Connex Report
THE DISCUSSIONParticipants discussed and shared ideas about how to increase Aboriginalparticipation in trades and apprenticeship in the New Brunswick region.The dialogue and deliberations at the session are contained below.Reception May 8th, 2007Kelly Lendsay, President, AHRC opened the reception with greetings fromthe council. He stated that he was encouraged to see so many employers,educators, government and Aboriginal people assembled for New BrunswickWorkforce Connex to create partnerships – similar to how historyunfolded when Loyalists and Aboriginal people built New Brunswick.Kelly introduced the speakers for the reception:••••His Worship, Norm McFarlane, Mayor of Saint JohnThe Honourable Ed Doherty, Minister, Aboriginal Affairsand Department of Post-Secondary Education, Trainingand Labour, Government of New BrunswickChief Len Tomah – Regional Chief, Assembly of First NationsCathy Martin, Aboriginal EntrepreneurshipMayor Norm McFarlaneMayor Norm McFarlane welcomed Workforce Connex participants toSaint John. He said the timing of the forum is very good, as a large numberof developments will take place in the Saint John area (refurnishingof the nuclear plant, new LNG plant, new refinery) that are anticipatedto employ 5,000 people. He explained that the collaboration and cooperationof the other five municipal regions in the area have been keyto these developments. He stressed that the whole community needsto be involved to support successful social and economic growth.Minister Ed DohertyMinister Doherty, Aboriginal Affairs and Department of Post-Secondary Education,Training and Labour, Government of New Brunswick gave a special welcome tothe participants of Workforce Connex and explained that it is good timingfor a gathering such as this – especially given the development that will takeplace in the Saint John area in the next few years. He explained that theAboriginal population is growing and all 15 First Nations communities are allstriving to be self-reliant and self-sufficient. He highlighted the developmentwork taking place in St. Mary’s and Red Bank. He introduced Patrick Francis,Deputy Minister Aboriginal Affairs and talked about partnerships between thegovernment and Aboriginal communities that exist such as the Aboriginal Skillsand Employment Partnership and the Joint Economic Development Initiative.He concluded that the Workforce Connex forum is an excellent way fordialogue to occur between the employers and Aboriginal communities.Chief Len TomahRegional Chief, Assembly of First NationsChief Len Tomah welcomed the participants to the territoryof Mi’kmaq and Maliseet.Chief Tomah noted some of the issues that First Nations people deal with suchas suicides, low education levels, housing, poverty, a fast growing population,high unemployment especially among the youth, a lack of actions on the RoyalCommission on Aboriginal Peoples, and finally, the missed opportunities. Althoughthere are major issues to be deal with he felt that this forum was a big step inthe right direction – especially given that the employers were here to listen andhave dialogue with the Aboriginal people. He stated that by working togetherthings can get accomplished and the knowledge gaps can be narrowed.He explained that if poverty could be eliminated, social costs would be reduced.He concluded his presentation by reminding people that June 29,2007 is the National Day of Action for Aboriginal people.Cathy MartinUlnooweg Award Show Coordinator, Ulnooweg Development Group Inc.Cathy Martin showed two videos from the Atlantic Aboriginal EntrepreneurAward Shows which were very uplifting as people could see economic andbusiness development possibilities with regard to Aboriginal people.Forum program –May 9th , 2007Opening CeremonyMargaret Paul, Elder St. Mary’s First Nation delivered the opening prayer forthe forum and provided delegates with a memorable cultural experience.Welcome & IntroductionsKelly Lendsay, President and CEO, AHRC welcomed all the participants to theforum and thanked everyone for coming. Mr. Lendsay reinforced that the forumis about facilitating dialogue between the supply side (Aboriginal people) andthe demand side (employers) of the labour market to lead to the creation ofpartnerships that result in employment for Aboriginal people in the trades.Jeff Tapley, Regional Director of Client and Community Services, NewBrunswick Region, Service Canada, welcomed all participants to NewBrunswick and to the forum. He explained that a forum such as this oneis a good way for the supply side and demand side of the labour marketto come together, share information, form relationships and partnerships.He felt that this forum is a very positive step that will help the supply anddemand sides of labour come together to address each others needs.Aboriginal Human Resource Council New Brunswick Workforce Connex Report
Page 3 and 4: TABLE OF CONTENTSAcknowledgement...
Page 5: Message CEO/PresidentAboriginal Hum
Page 9 and 10: ••budgets and types of employme
Page 11 and 12: •••••••••••
Page 13 and 14: •— technologists— all related
Page 15 and 16: •••••••••••
Page 17 and 18: 19.20.21.22.23.24.25.26.27.28.29.30
Page 19 and 20: Appendix 1Forum agendaWorkforce Con
Page 21 and 22: Aboriginal Human Resource Council N
Page 23 and 24: Participant Organization Location21
Page 25 and 26: Participant Organization Location61
Page 27 and 28: Appendix 3EVALUATION SUMMARYSaint J
Page 29 and 30: Private Sector Delegates1.Prior to
Page 31 and 32: Appendix 4GLOSSARY OF TERMSAcronymA

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