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

February 29, 2016 … 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.

“We are excited to have two awesome role models as our Keynote Speakers: Q-Mack, basketball entertainer from Brantford, Ontario and Edmonton local professional boxer and MMA fighter, Ryan ‘The Real Deal’ Ford. These two individuals will deliver motivational, anti-bulling, and goal setting messages to our Indigenous youth. With an expected attendance of 500+ attendees, Pathways 2016 is sure to impress upon all that attend…” states Conference Manager, Karen McCarthy.

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.

For more information, please visit the website at www.pathwaysyouthintrades.ca or contact the Conference Manager, Karen McCarthy at:

PHONE: (780) 245-5949

EMAIL: pathways@scescanada.org