April 27, 2009

First Nations workers complete Enbridge’s heavy equipment operator training program

Winnipeg

Enbridge Pipelines Inc. says that that eighteen Manitoba aboriginal people have completed a company-sponsored initiative providing them with heavy equipment operator training. Enbridge is funding the $450,000 program and Banister Pipeline, the main contractor for Enbridge’s Alberta Clipper pipeline project, is donating equipment.

Twenty candidates participated in training that began March 30 and the 18 completing the course this month will receive accreditation and a job building Enbridge’s Alberta Clipper pipeline project. Longer term, this training positions graduates for high-paying construction jobs after Alberta Clipper is completed.

Raymond Lavallee, a Metis participant from West St. Paul, says that the training “will lead me to bigger and better things in life”.

Leo Golden, vice-president of the Alberta Clipper Project, says the program is a success for everyone involved.

“Enbridge is proud to fund this program and to collaborate with the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) and our construction contractor, Banister Pipeline, because First Nations leaders told us they wanted to partner with us on our Alberta Clipper project.”

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine is working to increase participation by First Nations people in union organizations and we hope this program helps him with that national effort,” says Golden.

Jim Murphy, Business Manager of the Manitoba chapter of the IUOE (Local 987), says aboriginals are an important part of the IUOE membership.

“The growth of our organization will depend on us training more minority groups,” says Murphy. “Aboriginals will make up a big part of Manitoba’s future workforce.”

In late 2008, Enbridge funded another successful program to train approximately 20 First Nations people in entry-level pipeline jobs. Enbridge and its partners are building on the successes of that initiative with this heavy equipment training.

The Operating Engineers Training Institute of Manitoba (OETIM) is providing the classroom and hands-on portions of the heavy equipment training course. Head instructor Rick Kouk says the on-the-job training prepares workers for a typical pipeline workday.

“We go 10 hours a day, six days a week. It’s not because it’s an accelerated course. This is what these guys can expect once they’re in the field.”

Canadian Press

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