Latest News

CBTU HOSTS VIRTUAL INDIGENOUS TRAINING FOR CANADIAN APPRENTICESHIP FORUM

This week, Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) delivered Virtual Indigenous Training to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum. Developed under the workforce development program, Build Together, this training is part of our ongoing efforts to address hidden and systemic barriers to underrepresented groups within the construction industry.

“Canada’s Building Trades Unions are committed to making a career in the skilled trades open for everyone. Virtual Indigenous Training will create an opportunity for our members and employer partners alike to increase their awareness and understanding of Indigenous Peoples, cultures and customs,” said Sean Strickland, Executive Director, Canada’s Building Trades Unions. “It is through this investment in education that we can more clearly understand the challenges that exist for underrepresented people that enter the skilled trades, or are seeking an apprenticeship.”

CBTU has been working to address systemic barriers for many years, Virtual Indigenous Training is one example. In addition, CBTU is a proud member of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. Today’s session with the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum is one of many scheduled trainings taking place with industry stakeholders including members, contractors and partners.

France Daviault, Executive Director of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum said: “CAF-FCA supports reconciliation by striving to eliminate gaps in education and employment in our national apprenticeship system between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.  Starting with our Board of Directors, our intention is for this awareness to filter down and inform all of the work the we do on behalf of the Canadian apprenticeship community.”

Virtual Indigenous Training is offered through four modules; each of which can be customized to a unique audience and region. The training will provide meaningful ways to improve understanding and relations in the workplace and explore ways to recruit the next generation of workers. The modules are meant to create a base line understanding of the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, provide context on current situations taking place within the construction industry, and prepare course participants with career development tools.

About CBTU

Canada’s Building Trades Unions are an alliance of 14 international unions in the construction, maintenance and fabrication industries that collectively represent over 600,000 skilled trades workers in Canada. Each year, our unions and our signatory contractor partners invest over $300 million in private sector money to fund and operate over 175 apprenticeship training and education facilities across Canada that produce the safest, most highly trained and productive skilled craft workers found anywhere in the world. Canada’s Building Trades Unions represent members who work in more than 60 different trades and occupations, and generate six per cent of Canada’s GDP. For more information, go to www.buildingtrades.ca.

Join our newsletter

Media Contact

Jennifer White
Senior Communications Advisor
[email protected]
613-818-7776

 

Amy Burlock
Communications Specialist
[email protected]
613-301-4795

 

share this news

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn