Youth from the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation are building a home for an elder in the community.
The First Nation has partnered with Your Choice Homes (YCHomes) for the project.
12 students from Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation School are taking part in the eight-week program.
Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation Chief Ronald Mitsuing said in a statement that he will be signing off on each student receiving 300 future apprenticeship hours if they decide to pursue a career in the trades.
The youth can also receive a $500 bursary and a high school credit when the program is complete.
YCHomes teaches Indigenous youth trade skills such as building construction and worksite safety.
Several students have completed the program in a number of Indigenous communities.
“We’re seeing huge success,” Your Choice Homes spokesperson Jayson Noel said. “We haven’t had a student drop out yet. We’ve had some of the Aboriginal girls get into the trades. Our focus is to inspire the youth. You have a better idea of what career path you might want to choose with us.”
Your Choice Homes and Saskatchewan Polytechnic signed a memorandum of understanding in November 2018 stating that Sask Polytech’s School of Construction will provide online software for YCHomes’ Construction Worker 101 and 202 training programs.
(PHOTO: The official ground-breaking for the program on the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation. Photo courtesy of Jayson Noel.)