The Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association (PGNAETA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with seven organizations to promote Aboriginal trades apprenticeships in the region.
The B.C. Construction Association, Carpenter’s Union Local 1998, City of Prince George, Industry Training Authority, Millwrights, Machine Erectors and Maintenance Union Local 2736, Northern B.C. Construction Association and Prince George Construction Association have all signed on to the agreement.
“By 2020, Canada is going to need one million tradespeople. Fifteen years really isn’t a lot of time to prepare people,” PGNAETA Aboriginal apprenticeship coordinator Paula Bellerose said. “We have the supply, they have the demand. We need to start preparing them now.”