CITY CELEBRATES ABORIGINAL TRAINING PROGRAM GRADUATES

For Release August 1, 2014
CP 14-144

The City of Saskatoon, in partnership with the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI), Saskatoon Tribal Council Inc., and Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT), are celebrating the graduation of seven students from the Aboriginal Heavy Equipment Operator and Class 1A License Pre‑employment Training Program.

Students from the program were recognized at a graduation ceremony at Wanuskewin Heritage Park this morning.

The Aboriginal Heavy Equipment Operator and 1A License Pre‑employment Training Program is designed to train men and women to prepare for employment opportunities in the Saskatoon and Saskatchewan labour market. Participants take a variety of classes including: Class 1A (theory and practical); First Aid/CPR; Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS); Ground Disturbance and Transportation of Dangerous Goods; Confined Space Entry; and, Defensive Driving and Heavy Equipment Operator training where  participants gain first-hand experience operating a variety of heavy equipment. 

“The City is proud to retain and build on the strengths of existing and what we hope will be future partnerships with the Aboriginal community,” says Marno McInnes, City of Saskatoon Director of Human Resources. “This program is an important component of building an inclusive workforce and the Aboriginal community is a very essential part of this goal.”

Upon completion from the pre-employment program, 80% of graduates have secured long-term employment in Saskatchewan; 53% of those were hired by the City of Saskatoon. To date, 37 students have graduated from the program since its inception in 2010.

The City recognizes the hard work and dedication of all 2014 graduates and wishes them well in their future work plans.

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