Pathways 2016 National Youth Conference Gathers and Educates Canada’s Indigenous Youth to Fill the Labour Gap in the Skilled Trades

Pathways 2016 National Youth Conference Gathers and Educates Canada’s Indigenous
Youth to Fill the Labour Gap in the Skilled Trades

November 23, 2015 … Treaty No. 6 (Edmonton, AB) … Pathways 2016: Gathering our Nations’ Youth for Trades is a national conference bringing together Canada’s Indigenous youth (ages 16-30), exposing them to information and resources about careers in the trades. Taking place March 1^st – 3^rd, 2016 at the Fantasyland Hotel at West Edmonton Mall, the conference will be an opportunity for Indigenous youth to educate themselves on what constitutes a trade, what the educational paths are to learning a trade, and what types of businesses hire skilled tradespeople.

Mike Deranger, Honorary Co-chair for Pathways 2016, is excited by the conference’s potential. “We have the opportunity to provide a real benefit to both Canada’s economy, and our nations’ youth,” said Deranger, “It’s estimated that by 2017 there could be a massive shortfall of workers. But with a significant number of Indigenous youth entering the labour force in the next few years, we could make a real dent in that shortfall.”

The conference is not a job fair, and no attending organizations will be looking to fill specific roles. Instead, Pathways will provide first hand education to Indigenous youths on the major employers of tradespeople in Canada. Ultimately, Pathways will help indigenous youth form new relationships, eliminate barriers between them and a career in the trades, and provide opportunities they previously weren’t aware of.

By creating a forum to expose youth to trades, companies and organizations have direct access to their future employees, bridging the gap in Canada’s labour force.

In addition, the conference will showcase the importance of understanding and supporting Indigenous cultures within the work place. By creating an inclusive environment, employers have the opportunity to showcase their Indigenous programs and gain access to an up and coming workforce. Throughout the conference successful examples of Indigenous development within the trades will also be highlighted.

If your organization/business is interested in sponsoring, presenting or hosting an exhibit, please visit the website at www.pathwaysyouthintrades.ca or contact the Conference Manager, Karen McCarthy at:

PHONE: (780) 245-5949

EMAIL: pathways@scescanada.org