NL establishes office to support skilled trades among Indigenous, Northern communities

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has announced $1.45M in funding to establish the Labrador Office for Indigenous and Northern Skilled Trades, an office in Happy Valley-Goose Bay that will work with Indigenous groups to promote and mentor apprentices. “The intent is to promote the trades, go out and identify those in the Indigenous population now who have a trade but not have it completed to journeypersons, and put supports in place to help with things like work placements and block exams,” explained Trades NL Executive Director Darin King. “We want to promote the trades in the school system and help people understand the options that are out there for skilled-trades training.” Paul Rich, former chief of Sheshatshiu, explained the office is an important step to getting Indigenous people more involved in the skilled trades in Labrador. The Telegram (NL)