Tradewinds to Success has given aboriginal students a path into the trades for over a decade, and the proponents behind the program are pushing for expansion.
Based in Edmonton and Calgary, Tradewinds to Success has introduced an outreach project in Bonnyville, 240 kilometres northeast of Edmonton. That initiative, funded through a $1 million contribution from the federal government, will accommodate up to 15 students who will receive training in general construction. Carol Lee, program and finance assistant with Tradewinds to Success, said there is also interest in establishing classes in the Grande Prairie area.
"However, we have to prove the Bonnyville expansion is a success first," Lee said.
The 16-week program has graduated close to 1,200 students since its inception in 2005. The first six weeks are spent in a classroom. That is followed by practical work under the guidance of trades unions.
"When they’re done our program they should be able to start as an apprentice," said Lee, adding that students obtain safety tickets in the process.
In 2015/16, the program took in 135 students but that number is projected to rise to 350 students in 2016/17.
"There is a lot of word of mouth. The graduates from our program are telling family members," Lee said.
"And a lot of aboriginal communities are becoming aware of our program, and they’ve expressed interest as well."
It was the success of a relative that helped persuade Alan Roberge to get involved with Tradewinds to Success. Roberge, a 25-year-old Metis student, said he has worked numerous "odd jobs" since high school.
Now a father and seeking a secure, reliable job involving work he enjoys, he followed in his older brother’s footsteps by pursuing the trades. His sibling is now a journeyman ironworker. Roberge, who prefers carpentry, has plans to build his own home someday. Having started the Tradewinds program in May, he said he tries to get all his assignments and studying done at the Alberta Carpenters Training Centre, but winds up taking some of it home some days.
"You definitely have to put some work in," he said.
Roberge, who hails from St. Paul, 200 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, said he feels that he has chosen an occupation that suits him.
"I enjoy carpentry the most — seeing it as you’re building it, and it comes together in the end. It gives you a great feeling."
Lee said she has heard numerous personal stories from students about their ability to find work and support their families as a result of their trades training. One graduate became an electrician and a welder and started his own company, she said.
Alf Richards, an electrical instructor with Tradewinds for the past five years, recalled one student with an addiction to alcohol. He said he sat him down and talked to him about changing his lifestyle. That student left the course for personal reasons but returned during another intake, said he had given up liquor, and went on to earn the top marks in the class.
"He still contacts me every few months to let me know how he is doing," Richards said.
"I believe he is a third year apprentice now and he still has not touched a drop of liquor. He told me his life is much better since he quit drinking. People like him make my job fulfilling."
Richards said the trades offer good income, but there are sometimes periods of unemployment. When there isn’t enough demand for electricians, there is usually an option to transition to electrical sales, electrical manufacturing, electrical maintenance, motor rewinding, teaching or electrical consulting, he said.
Existing federal funding for the Tradewinds to Success program expires in September. Therefore a funding renewal application is in progress, Lee said. Numerous trades unions provide mentorship and in-kind contributions.
The program, which targets women and youth but does welcome older adults as well, has demonstrated true success with an 86 per cent pass rate among Tradewinds students taking the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training exam.
The Tradewinds to Success Program partners are:
- International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers – Local 110
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
- International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers
- United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 488
- The Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers
- The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers – Local 146
- Alberta Millwrights – Local 1460
- Treaty 7 Economic Development Corporation
- ConocoPhillips
- Building Trades of Alberta
- Oteenow Employment and Training Society
- Rupertsland Institute – Métis Centre Of Excellence
- Government of Alberta – Alberta Human Services
- Government of Canada – Human Resources & Development Skills Department ASEP Program.
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Alan Roberge, a Metis carpentry student from St. Paul, Alta., built his own toolbox and started putting together a table after that. He is enrolled in the Tradewinds to Success training program in Edmonton.
Photo: Derek Neary
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Ben Hosker is the Alberta Basic Education instructor with the Tradewinds to Success Training Society. The program trains students to become millwrights
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