FIRST PEOPLES DEVELOPMENT INC.
IT PAYS TO PARTNER
Here’s what program participants have to
say about FPDI's Apprenticeship Support Project:
If you’re a small to medium enterprise utilizing one of the 39 Red Seal trades in your work, First Peoples Development Inc. (FPDI) can partner with you to hire and retain talented apprentices to move your business forward. FPDI's Apprenticeship Support Project (ASP) partners first- year Red Seal apprentices with qualifying SMEs, helping you find great apprentices to meet your needs, and providing valuable funding to eligible applicants. In this competitive labour market, having a supportive resource like FPDI can help alleviate some of the stress associated with trying to find qualified employees. “This program is flexibly designed and allows companies to do what they do best — focus on their work,” says Joan Harris-Warren, executive director, FPDI. “Eligible employers can benefit from the skilled work of apprentices, along with a potential incentive of up to $20,000 for hiring two first-year apprentices. Diversify your team with eager new talent while contributing to economic growth in the province. All together, we can move Manitoba forward!” Eligible employers (fewer than 499 employees) can receive a significant hiring incentive of $5,000 per apprentice, for up to two apprentices per fiscal year per company, as well as an additional $5,000 for each hire if the apprentices are from equity deserving groups (women, Indigenous people, newcomers, person with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ2+, visible minorities). Employers can either onboard a new employee to become a first-year apprentice, or work with an existing employee who would like to enrol into the Apprenticeship system. Employers must have a journeyperson or designated trainer available. TO GET STARTED: 1) Simply fill out the form on FPDI's website at www.fpdinc.ca 2) An ASP officer will contact you to confirm project details. If all information is complete, FPDI will deliver an agreement and an application form to help you hire and register a first-year apprentice in one of the 39 Red Seal trades. 3) FPDI will then disburse the appropriate funds to your company. To find out more about ASP and to apply: fpdinc.ca With a shortage of skilled workers in Canada, we need to bring more hands into the trades. Not much can happen in major construction and manufacturing industries without the direct involvement of businesses and the growth of trades.
Kajon McKay Kajon McKay received support to get hands- on experience to start a career in the trades. Kajon McKay is a powerline technician. McKay was hoping to join Manitoba Hydro but needed to improve his chances. He reached out to FPDI after hearing about them from a family friend and enrolled in a powerline technician course. After taking electrical theory and then practical theory from a journeyman power line techni- cian, he was shown the tools and related work that a lineman would experience daily. “They helped me accomplish a quick occu- pation goal I never knew I wanted and have learned to love," said McKay. When asked whether he’d recommend FPDI, he said “Of course I would.” He added that he’d like to thank everyone who helped him along the way. Bryan Thomas Bryan Thomas is a steamfitter who recently went through the FPDI’s Red Seal plumbing pro- gram and is now part of UA LOCAL 254. Prior to hearing about FPDI from a friend, the 29-year- old tried many job paths. But he’s now excited about his future. “It’s a great opportunity,” he said. Thomas found the FPDI Red Seal program designed to be “easier to maintain information and do schoolwork. They really look out for you,” he added. Incorporated in 2006, FPDI is a non-profit organization that facilitates partnerships designed to develop and deliver training-to- employment programs to meet labour market needs internal and external to 28 Manitoba First Nation communities.
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WINTER 2022
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