Pictou Landing First Nation Receives Job Training

Thirteen members of the Pictou Landing First Nation are celebrating finishing essential skills development training, today, Dec. 19.

A $349,634 funding grant from the province is supporting eight participants in carpentry skills training and five others in teacher support training. The funding is a partnership between the skills and learning branch of the Department of Labour and Advanced Education and local service providers, including Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), Pictou Regional Development Agency and First Nation leadership.

"This is a great example of a customized response to a need identified by the community," said Darrell Dexter, premier and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. "Pictou Landing has shown leadership in working with the regional development authority to bring necessary skills to residents that will benefit the entire community."

The Pictou Landing Band Council identified the skills need for its community members. The council met with the regional development authority to develop a proposal then brought together the province and NSCC to provide funding and training expertise. The availability of skilled community members also reduces the chance of out-migration and relying on social assistance.

"The joint effort has resulted in increased skills and employability, and economic benefits for the community," said Pictou East MLA, Clarrie MacKinnon, on behalf of Labour and Advanced Education Minister Marilyn More.

"The Works for You Project is exciting for Pictou Landing First Nation," said Andrea Paul, chief of Pictou Landing First Nation. "It addresses two very important issues in our community -- housing and infrastructure, and education. This will hopefully create long-term employability in our community servicing our First Nation people."

Participants will now get more training, and will finish a work-experience phase in May. Eleven of the 13 graduates are expected to be employed when they finish the program.

"From the knowledge we obtained in this program, we all feel we are ready and more prepared to enter the workforce to practice our skills," said Bryan Francis, carpentry student, Pictou Landing First Nations.

"The skills these individuals have acquired over the last 12 weeks will really make a difference in their own lives and in the community," said David Freckelton, principal, NSCC Pictou Campus.

More information on skills, training and learning opportunities for Nova Scotians can be found at careers.novascotia.ca .