Earlier this week 14 students from Peguis First Nation and Fisher River Cree Nation graduated from CAM Arborg (Connecting Aboriginals to Manufacturing) program receiving certificates from UWinnipeg. This program through UWinnipeg’s PACE is a workforce development project aimed at increasing the number of skilled workers in Manitoba’s manufacturing sector.
“The graduation was wonderful,” expressed Pat McCallum, Economic Development Officer, Arborg-Bifrost Community Development Corporation. “Lots of proud students and families. Several students spoke about what the course meant to them. It was very powerful.”
Arborg-Bifrost area manufacturers contribute to Manitoba’s economy and is currently threatened by not finding well trained workers. This program helps connect individuals to obtain a skill-set they need enabling them to get work in the industry.
This program was developed with significant input from the Arborg-Bifrost manufacturers. UWinnipeg provided the academic and business component through Professional, Applied and Continuing Education (PACE), and Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology provided the technical courses in manufacturing. This is a full time program with a significant portion of the program delivered on site at Peguis First Nation and Fisher River Cree Nation communities.
This program was the result of a partnership between the Arborg Bifrost Community Development Corporation (ABCDC), the two First Nation communities, Bifrost manufacturers, The University of Winnipeg and Manitoba Institute of Trades & Technology (MITT).
“This partnership between business, government and education working together benefits everyone, but more importantly it benefits our students,” said Lelita Bailey, Program Manager, PACE. “Working collectively to help fill in the gaps between skill levels, education and industry is something PACE continuously strives to achieve and everyone wins.”
The majority of funding was provided by the Government of Canada and the Manitoba Government Departments of Jobs and the Economy and Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
For more information on this program please visit Connecting Aboriginals to Manufacturing.
