Your Choice Homes and Saskatchewan Polytechnic have agreed to work together to provide expanded training opportunities for Indigenous high school students.
The parties signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday afternoon which states Sask. Polytech’s school of construction will provide online software for the construction worker 101 and 202 training programs offered by YCHomes.
Your Choice Homes teaches Indigenous high school students trade skills such as building construction and worksite safety.
Jay Noel is responsible for business development at Your Choice Homes and says the program is important for First Nations communities.
“They need these opportunities as some communities have struggles in housing and education,” Noel says. “This partnership brings the institution to the community for pre-apprenticeship training via online software and community construction projects. This is a big step towards building capacity and creating sustainability. This high school program creates pride, instills confidence and encourages First Nations youth. We turn blueprints into curriculums and transform job sites into classrooms. This program also keeps housing dollars in the community to support the local economy. We are excited to team up with Sask. Polytech to provide construction worker101 and 202 training online for our students.”
High school students from Senator Allen Bird Memorial School in Montreal Lake Cree Nation were also honoured Wednesday as they are close to completing an eight-week construction worker 101 program.
The youth were honoured at an assembly on child welfare reform put on by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation.
“I think they’ve inspired other youth in the community and around Saskatchewan,” Montreal Lake Cree Nation Chief Frank Roberts says. “I know it’s a great honour for our youth to be showcased in a forum like the FSIN, where they feel appreciated and acknowledged for their hard work. They make everyone from Montreal Lake very proud and they should feel pride for what they’ve all achieved and we want to encourage them to keep walking a positive path.”
(Photo: left to right, Paul Carter, dean of schools of construction and transportation at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Montreal Lake Cree Nation Chief Frank Roberts, Your Choice Home CEO Jay Noel and Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron. Photo by Brendan Mayer)