Flying high with new funding for Aerospace employment

An Aboriginal training institute is doing everything it can to create opportunities for Winnipeg’s Aboriginal workforce.

The Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development Inc. (CAHRD) received close to $380,000 for one of their skill development programs on April 16, and they continue to keep their fingers crossed for funding to keep their work going.

“Our budget is around $6 million a year. We provide $12 million worth of training each year so we go out and get resources from people,” said CAHRD executive director Marileen Bartlett.

Bartlett said the much-needed funds donated by Canada’s federal government would certainly be put to good use.

“It helped us buy some of the equipment we needed to buy,” said Bartlett.

Western Economic Diversification Canada donated $276,669 and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada gave $103,308 to CAHRD in order to help facilitate the Neeginan Aerospace program, which is operated by CAHRD.

“Investments like today will create new opportunities for Aboriginal students while helping address skilled labour shortages in the aerospace sector,” said Lynne Yelich, minister of State for Western Economic Diversification,  in a press release.

The four-year Aboriginal Aerospace Initiative is designed to provide the 200 participants the appropriate skills and development necessary to fill the high-demand industry.
CAHRD teamed up with the Manitoba Aerospace Human Resource Committee in order to create a program that will secure employment for graduates of the Neeginan Institute at one of the four largest aerospace companies in Manitoba.

The aerospace program began in 2007 and is one part of the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) CAHRD has implemented in  order to provide individuals with the necessary education to transition straight into a career.

Bartlett explained that the hands-on programs receive significant interest from several applicants; however, they have trouble finding the proper candidates.

“There is a lot of interest in the programs, but it is hard to fill them because there are high requirements too,” said Bartlett. “In our community we are still in a position where there aren’t enough people with a Grade 12 education.”

She added that CAHRD does not simply deny unqualified applicants. They typically refer them to their adult learning centre in order to help them upgrade on necessary basics such as literacy.

The gas turbine repair and overhaul technician program and the machinist apprenticeship are two other opportunities offered under ASEP.

CAHRD is a non-profit organization, established 30 years ago, that strives to provide employment and education services to nearly 2,400 people annually.