First Nations students land carpentry jobs

Great news for a group of First Nations students who completed a six-month Carpentry: Basic Construction Skills program offered at Malaspina University-College’s Cowichan campus - all 15 students landed jobs with a local contractor immediately after graduation.

The students are employed by Khowutzun Mustimuhw Contractors Limited Partnership (KMCLP) through the new Skilled Trades Employment Project (STEP) sponsored by the B.C. Construction Association.

Malaspina’s Cowichan Campus Contract Services Department, Cowichan Tribes Education Department and KMCLP partnered to implement the training program. Funding was provided by the Cowichan Tribes Education department.

Cowichan Tribes selected 15 students for the carpentry course, and invited participation from three individuals from neighbouring First Nations organizations, including the Penelakut Tribe from Kuper Island, the Songhees Band from Esquimalt and the Halalt Band from Westholme.

Selected students received three weeks of math upgrading through Malaspina to support their success and confidence in writing a required assessment test to ensure acceptance into the program.

Cheryl Galloway, program coordinator for Malaspina’s Contract Services department, said Malaspina rented shop space in the Duncan Industrial Park. "We don’t have shop facilities at the Cowichan campus," she explained. "So we rented the space and set it up with safety equipment, storage space, first aid room, etc."

Students completed a mix of theory work in the classroom and hands-on projects, including building their own tool boxes, tool crib and work benches. They gained work experience at field sites prior to doing their four week practicums with KMCLP or the Cowichan Tribes Sustainable Housing department.

"Each student was provided with their own set of required tools, such as a carpenter’s belt, skil saw, steel-toed boots, rain gear, hard hat, and other equipment. They were ready to work as they left the classroom," added Galloway.

KMCLP managers Dana Frances and Jackie Rhyno were a great support to students throughout the program, added Galloway. "Jackie, project manager, visited the classroom regularly, supervised the student’s field placements and provided work experience sites," she said. "The students were delighted to be employed immediately after graduation."

Galloway said Malaspina would consider offering the program again, if another business, industry or agency expressed interest in entering a contract with Malaspina.

Meanwhile, Malaspina’s new five-month Carpentry Framer Technician program is currently underway, and will be offered again in September. Interested students should call (250) 746-3525.