Local 2222, in Kincardine Ontario, is creating pathways for local indigenous communities to access meaningful employment in the skilled trades through the SON (Saugeen Ojibway Nations) Building Futures program.
Ryan Plante, Local Union Coordinator for Local 2222, says the program began with an intention to make an impact in their local indigenous communities. “We reached out to community leaders to see if there was an opportunity for their community members to be able to participate in the skilled trades.”
With the program, the team hoped to provide skilled trades training to participants and connect them with employment to the region’s growing nuclear sector. Ryan says an important step was to establish trust with the local indigenous bands, “It was crucial during the recruitment stage. We showed up when we said we would, and it was enlightening to see their response to us.”
The program has been a success, with several participants becoming UBC members, currently working on nuclear projects like Bruce Power. “The feedback from the contractors has been exceptional,” says Plante. “They’ve really taken a shine to the apprentices from the program.”
Plante believes the program can be replicated for future collaboration between UBC Locals and indigenous communities. “I think the program is scalable across the country. I think what’s important is that you enter the community, talk to the community, and understand what the community needs are.”
For him, the experience was deeply personal. “It’s probably one of the proudest things I’ve ever done,” says Plante. “When we faced barriers, we found solutions. We wanted to make an impact and we did.”
