Greg discusses trades and apprenticeships with Roxanne Emery of ON MTCU.

KENORA, ON – September 2, 2009  Yesterday Greg Rickford, Kenora MP, hosted a half-day forum to facilitate maximizing local employment as a result of infrastructure projects announced and funded by the governments.

Project overviews were given by the City of Kenora and AKRC for local First Nation Projects. Employment Assistive Agencies including JobsNOW, LEAP, Lake of the Woods Labour Action Centre and the Ministry of Colleges, Training and Universities (Apprenticeships) gave overviews of programs and services they can provide to assist employers. Training institutions including Confederation College and Seven Generations were present and overviewed construction and trade related courses being offered and potential courses that could be offered to prepare our local labour force.

“Great discussions took place today. We need to be proactive with our labour force including letting them know what types of jobs will be available for the 2010 construction season and assisting them with training if required to enable them to be ready. I’m looking forward to establishing a working group to continue this effort moving forward,” said Rickford.

Also in attendance to participate in the discussions were representatives of the Kenora Construction Association, local contractors, City representatives and contract administrators.

“By understanding the projects and their timelines as well as the job requirements, we can prepare the local labour force for these construction and roads projects.  Kenora was very successful using a similar approach when i-level Weyerhaeuser was opening their Kenora operation.  We have the experience, a great group of people, and the organizations and agencies to ensure these projects translate into local jobs,” Jennifer Findlay, Economic Development Officer, City of Kenora.