Six Nations Polytechnic certified as an apprenticeship training delivery agent
The Ontario government announced on March 12 that it has approved Six Nations Polytechnic as an apprenticeship training delivery agent.
The Brampton-area post-secondary institution is owned and controlled by the Haudenosaunee, and is located at Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation, Canada’s largest First Nations reserve.
The announcement makes Six Nations Polytechnic the first Indigenous institute to be granted status as a provincially approved training delivery agent. As such, it can now deliver apprenticeship training for three trades: general machinist, cook and welder.
"Six Nations Polytechnic continues to respond to skilled trades shortages and labour market challenges," said Six Nation Polytechnic president and CEO Rebecca Jamieson. "This pre-apprenticeship funding creates 41 opportunities for eligible learners to begin a successful career in one of three trades - welder, machinist and cook. Earning Training Delivery Agent status for these trades is a truly momentous occasion. Six Nations Polytechnic, together with area employers, can now offer local apprenticeship opportunities right here in the City of Brantford."
In the third quarter of 2019, there were 21,000 vacant jobs in the Hamilton-Niagara area, with demand for welders, millwrights, electricians and machinists.
The government also renewed funding of $395,000 to Six Nations Polytechnic to continue delivering pre-apprenticeship training for general machinists, cooks and welders.
In the upcoming fiscal year, the funding will support:
- 18 pre-apprenticeship trainee general machinists,
- 8 pre-apprenticeship trainee cooks, and
- 15 pre-apprenticeship trainee welders.
"It's great news that apprenticeship training is coming to Canada's most populous First Nation," said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs. "We're looking forward to seeing apprentice general machinists, cooks and welders from Six Nations Polytechnic take up rewarding positions in their fields."
Six Nations Polytechnic will now work with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to create in-class apprenticeship training programs.