This document outlines a research orientation for developing a strategy to maximize employment and contracting opportunities for New Brunswick Aboriginal people with Irving Shipbuilding. Irving Shipbuilding will be building ships over 25 billion over 20-30 years, creating 11,500 jobs. Researchers will collect data on Aboriginal businesses and skilled workers to populate online databases. They will consult Aboriginal communities to design the strategy. The strategy will be finalized and presented in June 2014.

1. RESEARCHERS ORIENTATION
MARCH 24 - 25, 2014

2. Development of a strategy which will detail
how New Brunswick Aboriginal people can
maximize employment and contracting
opportunities with Irving Shipbuilding
under their National Shipbuilding
Procurement Strategy contract.

3.  Irving Shipbuilding Inc. was selected in 2011
to build the combat vessel work package for
an approximate $25 Billion over the next 20 –
30 years.
 The combat vessel work package includes:
 Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships (6-8)
 Canadian Surface Combatants (up to 15 vessels)

4.  Construction to begin in mid 2015 on
Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships
 Construction to begin in 2020-22 on
Canadian Surface Combatants
 Projected to create approximately 11,500 jobs
in Atlantic Canada

5. Examples Of Some Of The Potential Employment
Opportunities
 Pipefitters
 Engine Fitters
 Machinists
 Welders
 Electricians
 Ironworkers
 Joiners
 Crane Operators
 Spray Painters/Blasters
 Labourers

6.  As the largest post 2nd World War navy
procurement, and as a national project,
Aboriginal People of New Brunswick should
and will see some of the benefits.
 The development of the databases through
your research activities is one of the key
components of the overall strategy
development.
 The following is an outline of how the strategy
will be developed.

7.  Undertake a comprehensive consultation process
with Aboriginal people, communities and
organizations to solicit input on strategy design.
 Develop partnerships with key stakeholders
including ASETS, industry, trade unions and
government to participate in an Advisory Working
Group throughout the strategy development phase.

8.  Undertake a Province wide research project to develop a
comprehensive database of skilled workers and
businesses who could potentially become involved in
the shipbuilding project.
 Development of an online portal for project information
and to allow individuals and businesses to register in the
database.
 Undertake research to establish the demand side
requirements at various stages of the shipbuilding
project for both skilled workers and contractors.

9.  Develop the New Brunswick Aboriginal
Shipbuilding Strategy, which flows from the various
activities described previously.
 Present the finalized Strategy at the next JEDI
Plenary in late spring and move to implementation
in early summer.

10.  Researchers assigned to collect data for each of
the ASETS Agreement Holders client group.
 MAWIW Council
 New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council
 North Shore Mi’kmaq District Council
 St. John River Valley District Council
 Two databases have been developed for both
Aboriginal businesses and workforce
 Entering data will be done online and each
researcher will be able to access the database
through the Internet.

11.  Suggested Approach
 Become familiar with the database and the available
online support
 Reach out to your contacts and key informants to
establish initial listing of candidates.
 Develop your specific communications strategy to
inform communities and targeted interest groups
about the project.
 Examples might include newsletters, web sites,
Facebook, posters, etc.

12.  Suggested Approach
 Utilize JEDI as a support resource as required.
 Provide feedback on successes and challenges in
monthly reports to allow us to identify common
issues

13.  Contract signed - mid February.
 Database selection and design - early March.
 Documentation of skilled workers and businesses -
March through May.
 Development of Consultation process - March.
 Aboriginal people, communities and organizations
consulted - April/May. (we will use this as an
opportunity to inform the public of the research
activities.)
 Development of draft New Brunswick Aboriginal
Shipbuilding Strategy - May

14.  Vetting draft Strategy with JEDI and key
stakeholders – mid May
 Finalizing Strategy based on feedback from
vetting process – late May
 Presentation of Strategy at next JEDI Plenary –
June
 Implementation of Strategy – June 2014 and
ongoing throughout the period of shipbuilding
contract.

15.  The most comprehensive databases for
Aboriginal businesses and skilled workforce
ever developed in New Brunswick.
 Direct employment and contracting
opportunities related to the Irving
Shipbuilding project.
 Direct employment and contracting
opportunities with other major developments.

16.  Please provide all contact information for each
researcher and any associated ASETS
individuals directly involved in the project.
 Our contact information is:
Cecil Cameron
(506) 461-6327
cameron@arccanada.com

17. QUESTIONS