Nelson House celebrates milestone for Assiniboine trades graduates

A movement that began many years ago for Nisichawaysihk Cree Nation continues to yield results for communities like Nelson House.

Earlier this year Assiniboine partnered with the Atoskiwin Training & Employment Centre (ATEC) at Nelson House to deliver trades related programming in a community-based setting. On Tuesday, the community hosted a graduation ceremony that celebrated 58 graduates from trades related programs including the accredited Applied Plumbing and micro-trades such as drywalling, interior finishing, painting and concrete finishing.

Student Ethan Linklater saw success and completed one of the micro-trade programs. “I enjoyed the ACC course, including the Social Readiness from ATEC and the WEM Essential Skills,” he said. “I’m working now and in the future I plan to pursue level 1 carpentry and I hope to become a red seal carpenter.”

Beyond the individual student success, Tuesday’s graduation represented a celebration of the unique partnership that continues between Assiniboine, Pewapun Construction and the Atoskiwin Training & Employment Centre in Nelson House.

“The training and support provided by ATEC to students helps them achieve the skills and education needed towards meaningful employment,” said Jim Moore, Executive Director at ATEC. “The success is possible through collaboration and partnerships with institutions such as Assiniboine Community College, Yellowquill, UCN and also with organizations such as Workplace Education Manitoba, Pewapun, NCN Chief & Council, NCN Housing Authority, Medicine Lodge, Family and Community Wellness Centre, NNCEA. It’s with these relationships, the spirit of collaboration and working together that creates success for all our students in our community.”

“It is always very inspiring to work with communities, like Nelson House, as they serve the region by training and retaining graduates” said Michael Cameron, Dean Community Development at Assiniboine. “The college is a leader provincially in community-based training and we enjoy celebrating the high level of success that Assiniboine students have in finding jobs that support the places they call home” he added.

Atoskiwin Training & Employment Centre is a charter member of the YouthBuild Global initiative as a social enterprise that strives to create opportunities and sustainable livelihoods through partnerships with Assiniboine and sister agencies like the community owned and operated Pewapun Construction Ltd.

Students graduating from the programming in Nelson House are increasingly representative of the NEET initiatve championed by the training and employment centre. NEET, which stands for not employed, educated or trained looks to connect Indigenous peoples with education and employment opportunities close to home. The training provided works in tandem with a post-secondary provider to create viable connections for Indigenous people to serve and build their community.

In 2022 the college delivered programming in more than 30 communities province-wide, with 94 percent of graduates surveyed being employed six months following graduation.