First Nations Train with Emera

NS: First Nations partner with Emera to meet need for skilled workers
By Staff, Transcontinental Media

Source: The Cape Breton Post, April 5, 2010

[MEMBERTOU, NS] — First Nation communities are teaming up with Atlantic Canada’s largest utility services contractor to help strengthen their skilled labour pool.

Emera Utility Services, a subsidiary of Emera Inc., has established a partnership with the Unama’ki Economic Benefits Office, an economic development organization established by the five First Nations in Cape Breton. The Unama’ki office will recruit and train local aboriginals and Emera has committed to hiring at least five people who successfully complete the training.

“This is the start of another very important partnership that has long-term implications,” said Unama’ki executive director Owen Fitzgerald. “Working with industry, understanding their needs and working to address these needs, is the key to our success.”

Fitzgerald said a collaborative and business-like approach to economic development has resulted in dozens of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in contracts for local Mi’kmaq.

A group of 10 aboriginals from Cape Breton recently visited an Emera Utility Services training facility in Truro, to learn more about the opportunity.

“The visit provided the group with an opportunity to experience first-hand the skills that they would learn in the program,” said Alex Paul, director with Unama’ki. “Attendees climbed poles, had a turn in a bucket truck and learned about EUS’ safety program.”


Learning to climb a power pole is Tim Paul of the Potlotek First Nation. Also shown is Gary Lamen, Potlotek First Nation, and Leo-Levi Stevens, right, of the Eskasoni First Nation.

The Economic Benefits Office has contracted the Nova Scotia Community College, Strait Campus, to deliver the training. Individuals that successfully complete the training will get six electrical credits through the community college.

Launched in 2000, Emera employs more than 200 skilled individuals and has an extensive fleet of on-road and off-road equipment. In Atlantic Canada, the company holds offices in Halifax, Truro, and Fredericton.