Battlefords To Help Aboriginals Find Jobs Locally

Battlefords To Help Aboriginals Find Jobs Locally

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 12:13

 

 

Employers in the Battlefords area have decided to set up their own program to help Aboriginal people get jobs.

 

Last night, North Battleford city council agreed to sign documents as one of those employers.

 

In 2004, the City joined the Ministry of First Nations and Metis Relations’ Aboriginal Employment Development Program, which helps Aboriginal people get jobs through a province-wide program.

 

But employers in the Battlefords area have decided to set up their own local group, rather than be part of a provincial program.

 

North Battleford’s director of human resources, Susan Degenstein, says a locally-focused program will provide a big advantage for both job-seekers and employers.

 

Degenstein says this program will make it easier to hire local people.

 

“As a group, we’re going to get together and see what the needs and skills are, what the training is that’s available in our community, and work that way, as opposed to different occupations in other parts of the province,” she says.

 

The Ministry of First Nations and Metis Relations will still lead the local group, Degenstein says.