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Back in the training business Kivalliq Mine Training Society funded for two years
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, October 2, 2013
RANKIN INLET/KIVALLIQ
Funding has been obtained that will see the Kivalliq Mine Training Society (KMTS) back in business.
Kivalliq Mine Training Society executive director Kenneth Kerr of Rankin Inlet posts the first of many training opportunities the society will deliver with funding now in place for this year and the next. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
KMTS has signed agreements with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) for $5.3 million, Economic Development and Transportation (EDT) for $1.2 million and Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM) for $400,000.
EDT's deal includes an agreement in principle for a third year of funding.
Including planned expenditures by KMTS partners, the total project funding for two years is $14.15 million.
Executive director Kenneth Kerr said KMTS was approached by the federal government to apply to a pilot project aimed at bundling most of its programs into a single agreement to reduce the administrative burden.
He said the new direction will make programs more effective when addressing community priorities.
"A bit more than half of the funding goes toward AEM," said Kerr.
"We want Inuit to get jobs at the mine, naturally, but getting an entry-level job is just the first step.
"We want to make an impact with this agreement, on career progression and retention so Inuit move up to occupy better paying and more interesting jobs."
Kerr said KMTS has an extensive two-part agreement with Agnico Eagle.
He said one is the labour pool, so the construction phase at Meliadine works like a school for recruiting Inuit for the operational gold mine.
"Part two is upward mobility at Meadowbank.
"Agnico Eagle is going to implement a transparent career ladder.
"There will be training positions for each step on the ladder, so, when AEM needs someone, it will have a pool of Inuit workers who are trained to take the next step.
"And, when someone moves up a step, that also vacates a position lower down."
Kerr said KMTS has a responsibility to deliver programming for youth and people with disabilities who are trying to get employment.
He said KMTS is also mandated to provide skilled training for people who may have some work experience, but need to move beyond entry-level positions.
"We funded the Arviat Driller's Program for this year and next, and we're working with Nunavut Arctic College on a pre-trades course.
"With each hamlet, we're running programs for people aged 16 to 30 who are out of school and work to give them the essentials to get a first job or one they can keep.
"We're very keen on what's going on with AEM, but that's just one part of what we'll be doing."
Kerr said the KMTS plan is being funded the way it was submitted, but it will have to demonstrate results against program objectives.
But, he said, it's not tied up in a lot of bureaucracy between the money and results.
"KMTS isn't a store-front operation this time.
"We're working with our partners, and helping the hamlets and the literacy council to put on programs with us.
"We will reach out to communities for participation, but I don't want to leave the impression people can knock on our door and get a job or training course at any time.
"When we're implementing a project people will see it, and it will usually be in partnership with a hamlet or another organization."
Society chairperson Qilak Kusugak said the funding is, in a word, phenomenal.
He said KMTS ran a great program through the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Program (ASEP) before its funding ran out.
"We knew ASEP was closing and we didn't have a clear indication of any future monies coming to the organization," said Kusugak.
"We had shown our program was a success by exceeding our target numbers under ASEP funding, so we were able to clearly demonstrate we were making things happen in the Kivalliq.
"We kept in touch with HRSDC to make sure it knew we wanted to continue the work we had begun.
"Shortly thereafter, a few whispers turned into serious discussions, which led us to where we are today."
Kusugak said KMTS has changed its role a little bit.
He said the society used to purchase programs and have other agencies deliver them, but now it's actually developing programs to deliver in the communities itself.
"While our funding is for two years, we're not looking at closing our doors once it has run out.
"If we can show the same levels of success we had in our previous program, there is money out there.
"We're looking at this long term and, hopefully, we'll be able to produce the numbers to allow us to access future funding.
"Mining plays a huge role in our region and we have to get our people ready for those jobs."
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