Aboriginal Employment in Contaminant Remediation Sector Increased Through National CRTOC Training Project

CALGARY, Alberta – Between June 2010 and March 2012, the Contaminates Remediation Training Organization of Canada (CRTOC) provided 789 Aboriginal participants with training opportunities in the contaminant remediation industry in an effort to increase Aboriginal employment in the sector – well over the target of 600 individuals trained. At least 557 Aboriginal people were placed in employment, again, significantly over the target of 400 individuals employed.

CRTOC exceeded all targets set out for the project. Besides the results noted above for individuals trained and individuals employed, 1,120 individuals were assessed (where the goal was 700), and 2,751 interventions were completed (where the goal was 400). These targets were exceeded while maintaining fiscal responsibility, as the program came in under budget by approximately 7.5%.

To reach these targets, a total of 45 training programs were offered through 32 industry, Aboriginal, and educational partners, in areas ranging from Heavy Equipment Operation, to Camp Cooking, to Environmental Monitoring. Training took place across the country, with a particular focus in Northern Canada.

CRTOC, a federally incorporated, not for profit organization, was successful in obtaining funding for the suitably named “Caring for the Land” project through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)’s Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Program (ASEP) in June 2010. Administration of the Caring for the Land project was provided by Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada.

The Caring for the Land project is now in its final closing stages and would like to thank the Board of Directors and all partners and participants who contributed to the success of the program. CRTOC will also be closed as there is no additional funding available through the HRSDC ASEP program. ECO Canada will however, continue to offer the BEAHR Training Programs to ensure the availability of training opportunities for Aboriginal people interested in the environmental field.

The CRTOC began in 2009 when ECO Canada partnered with Aboriginal organizations, post-secondary institutions, and private sector businesses to submit a proposal to HRSDC for the purpose of increasing Aboriginal employment in the contaminant remediation sector through training opportunities.

About ECO Canada:
ECO Canada develops programs that help individuals build meaningful environmental careers, provides employers with resources to find and keep the best environmental practitioners, and informs educators and governments of employment trends to ensure the ongoing prosperity of this growing sector. ECO Canada is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program. For more information please visit: www.eco.ca.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 7th, 2012 at 9:06 am and is filed under Careers & Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.