Down Under Collaboration Looks at Aboriginal Trades Training for Mining
Australia's Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) won't begin iron ore production until 2008 but the company is already extracting advice from NAIT on training Aboriginal workers.
Michael Gallagher, FMG's Aboriginal Advisor, first heard of NAIT's unique training program in 2006 when he met Andy Popko, EnCana's Vice-President of Aboriginal Affairs, at an International Indigenous Conference in Western Australia. Popko told Gallagher about the NAIT in Motion program and how this innovative approach had helped train Aboriginal people in Canada.
NAIT in Motion is a partnership initiative that delivers NAIT training via mobile education units to remote communities in western and northern Canada where there is a demand for trades training. Gallagher was intrigued with the idea and a few months later came to Canada to find out more. He attended a live class in Hobbema and was so impressed he invited NAIT to Perth to present on the program.
NAIT's Stephen Crocker, Account Manager for Aboriginal Initiatives, came to Perth in February 2007 and described NAIT's program to FMG's senior executives and Australian state and federal government officials. He also visited the mine's port facilities in Port Hedland to meet some of the native Australians currently enrolled in an FMG training program.
Crocker's trip helped identify potential areas for collaboration between NAIT and FMG. In May, NAIT sent Crocker, Terry Drabiuk and Grant Eliason to Australia to gather information for a feasibility study that will provide the foundation for an FMG Aboriginal training plan. The team participated in 31 meetings with a wide variety of stakeholders and also visited the mine site and port.
In June, Fortescue sent a three person team to Edmonton to review the study and develop further strategies for Aboriginal development. The team included Gallagher, Mine Training Manager Lester Davis and Community Development's Jennifer Pidgeon. During their trip to Canada, the team toured NAIT campuses and witnessed the NAIT in Motion training units in action at the Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. Horizon Site in Fort McMurray and the Diavik Diamond Mine at Lac La Bras, Yellowknife.
At present, FMG is reviewing the recommendations contained in the study. |
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Career Challenge Takes Halliburton Supervisors to the Next Level
Halliburton service supervisors from six countries were the latest graduates from NAIT's Career Challenge program, a three month program that combines leadership training with oilfield competencies.
There were eight graduates honoured at the June 2007 ceremony, representing six countries where Halliburton operates: Algeria, Angola, Congo, Kuwait, Nigeria and Yemen.
In the two years since its inception, Career Challenge has been instrumental in developing Halliburton leaders. The customized program includes technical training in data acquisition, electronics, pump maintenance and cementing; and leadership courses such as effective communication, people management, customer service, problem solving and decision making.
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| The Career Challenge program is putting these proud graduates on the map. |
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Trades Training in India Revs Up in Partnership with NAIT
| The sun is beating down in Coimbatore, a major industrial city in southern India, while Edmonton is shivering in the cool autumn air. But both cities share something in common - a need to train skilled labour for an active economy and a willingness to collaborate to make this happen. |
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The Sri Rama Krishna Advanced Training Institute (SRATI) was established by SNR Charitable Trust in March 2007, the tenth education-related facility the organization has opened since 1970. Through the unique global networking that occurs today, SRATI heard about NAIT's customized industry training programs and contacted the college to find out more.
A SRATI delegation came to Edmonton in May 2007 to study NAIT's programs and operations. In order to fulfill their vision to become a world-class training institution for practical skills that meet local and global industry needs, SRATI is emulating NAIT's approach of maintaining strong industry connections and offering quality education to meet industry needs.
In collaboration with NAIT, SRATI successfully completed a phase 1 needs assessment in India which determined that Welding would be the first training program offered by SRATI. NAIT program heads from Welding and Pipe Trades spent August 2007 in India to advise on the construction of a welding shop and classrooms, curriculum design, and the selection of SRATI instructors, program heads and technical support staff. The first delivery of customized welding training at SRATI is scheduled to begin by year's end.
While the welding program was revving up, NAIT and SRATI were partnering on the development of customized Information Technology training solutions for Indian-based corporations. Other partnership projects underway are looking at training programs for other trades: plumbers, steamfitters/pipe fitters, millwrights and electricians. |
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In this issue...
LEARN FROM ANYWHERE
NAIT's new Distance Learning Calendar is now available!
www.nait.ca/DistanceLearning
NEW - BUSINESS COURSES NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Get a head start on a NAIT Diploma. Five Business Year I Courses will be available for Online study in January. Visit www.nait.ca/DistanceLearning for details.
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ARE YOU A RETIRED INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL?
Share your expertise with NAIT's part-time learners.
There is a current demand for professionals who would enjoy the
freedom of part-time or short-term instructional work. We are
looking to build our database of expertise for both domestic and
international assignments. We're known for matching the right
people with the right projects and ensuring our part-time learners
get what they need to succeed.
Areas of anticipated need include oil & gas, trades, health, business and hospitality.
Immediately - Looking for an instructor with sour gas experience, starting January 2008.
Send your resume to:
Stacey Graham
Recruitment Specialist
E. staceyg@nait.ca
P. 780.378.596 |
