Fifteen First Nations students from around Dauphin began training for a plumbing career this week at the ACC Parkland Campus.
They are taking the Applied Plumbing Installation program.
Students are coming from communities like Skownan, Waywayseecappo, O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi, Ebb and Flow, Tootinaowaaziibeeng, Pine Creek, Rolling River and Keeseekoowenin First Nations, to learn the trade.
“They are learning how to do the rough-in plumbing portions. They can work along with whomever the community has engaged in building their homes or their public buildings. They’ll be able to work alongside them. Piping, soldering, all the aspects that are related to plumbing.”
Charles Blackbird, the coordinator of community development at ACC, says the students will be able to take what they learn back to their communities.
“We hold meetings with our community reps each year, and they identify needs in their community. They’ve shown a lot of a need for plumbing. This is why we’ve decided to do this program this year.”
The program is accredited by Apprenticeship Manitoba to provide credit for Level 1 plumbing apprenticeship in-school technical training. Graduates will be eligible for the next steps of apprenticeship.
The First Nations communities involved in this initiative require local plumbers. Currently, they are contracting work to outside contractors.
“With the graduates here, they will be able to go back home and share their knowledge. They’ll be able to perform a lot of the work that the outside plumbers and contractors would provide and also save the community money in the long run. Because they wouldn’t have to pay the service call fees and stuff like that.”
Delivering the program close to their communities increases the likelihood of academic success, a First Nations spokespersons said.
“The design of this program meets the needs of First Nations learners. We know that with Assiniboine Community College in Dauphin, our students will be more successful since they do not have to move to a larger urban centre," said Sheena Houle, post-secondary counsellor of the Ebb and Flow First Nation Education Authority.
All students will be sponsored for their tuition fees and other course costs.
