Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Liard (Aug 17/01) - Expecting a busier winter season than last year, the Fort Liard band wants to be sure as many local people as possible get jobs.

The Acho Dene Koe Group of Companies invited regional employment sector personnel to Fort Liard for a jam-packed, one-day employment workshop Tuesday.

"We want to create good working relationships with other communities ... and we want good workers here -- commitment," said Don Antoine, manager of employment and training for the Acho Dene Koe. "A lot of times failure (results) from a lack of communication."

The sessions included introductions to the businesses and services in the community, hiring practices and procedures, maximizing aboriginal and Northern employment as well as a discussion on setting goals and making commitments.

One of the major stumbling blocks has been designing a reliable source of transportation for employees located in various Deh Cho communities, Antoine said. Many of the jobs involve two or three weeks on site, then a few weeks off. The transportation issue was also to have been examined Tuesday.

Shane Parrish, CEO of the Acho Dene Koe Group of Companies, said he anticipates 300 people will be needed to fill positions with Beaver Enterprises, the band's largest oil service sector company. It employs slashers, heavy equipment operators, cooks and cleaners. As well, Akita will be offering opportunities on drilling rigs, he said. Some of the jobs will be located in northern B.C.

Close to 80 per cent of ADK's employees, which employs the greatest number of people in the region outside of government, are either Northern residents or aboriginal, according to Parrish.