This Aboriginal Education and Employment strategy was provided by Valerie Monkman on behalf of Jeannie Cranmer of BC Hydro at the "Expanding our Knowledge" conference held in Vancouver, BC on April 15, 2013. The conference was hosted by www.workingeffectivelywithaboriginalpeoples.com and powered by Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.

1. 1
Aboriginal Education and Employment Strategy
(AEES)
Valerie Monkman, AEES Advisor on behalf of Jeannie Cranmer, AEES
Manager
APRIL 15, 2013

2. Aboriginal Relations
Overview and Statement of Principles
BC Hydro Vision: Powering BC with Clean, Reliable Electricity for
Generations
BC Hydro is at a critical point in supporting the growth of the province. We have
major capital projects worth millions of dollars under way all across the
province and will continue to grow our skilled workforce.
BC Hydro has been a leader in Aboriginal relations, and will continue to advance
this leadership position. BC Hydro recognizes that the Aboriginal population
of British Columbia has a distinct legal, historical and cultural status and is
committed to working with the Aboriginal population according to the following
Aboriginal Relations Statement of Principles
www.bchydro.com/community/aboriginal_relations.html
2

3. Statement of Principles - Employment
BC Hydro will co-operate with Aboriginal peoples and educational
institutions to develop initiatives that support Aboriginal people
acquiring knowledge and skills that will prepare them for employment
with BC Hydro and its subsidiaries.
• BC Hydro will develop employment equity programs with a goal of
increasing Aboriginal representations in the Hydro workforce to a
level proportional to their working population in British Columbia.
Aboriginal Education & Employment Strategy (AEES)
The Aboriginal Education and Employment Strategy is a long term
approach to recruitment, capacity development and internal
Aboriginal awareness.
3

4. Aboriginal Education & Employment Strategy (AEES)
• BC Hydro’s Executive &
Board of Directors approved the
10-year strategy to create a
representative Aboriginal workforce
Aug 2006.
• AEES aligns with BC Hydro’s commitment to develop a diverse
workforce that represents the communities we serve within BC and
strengthens our goal to create an inclusive workplace by 2017.
• Dedicated human resource (AEES) team
supports Aboriginal applicants.
4

5. Aboriginal Education and Employment Strategy Work
PLANNED VERSUS ACTUAL – HOW DID WE DO?
Human Resources “Attract and Retain”
ACTIVITY F13 PLAN F13 ACTUAL
Focus on Targeted
Aboriginal Hires
• Hiring Target = 35 Aboriginal Hires
• Youth Hire Program Annual
Implementation
• ARN Support/Capital Projects
support
• Capacity building
• Planning strategic sourcing
(specific schools)
• Recruitment & coaching
• Aboriginal Scholarships
• Aboriginal Employee Network
Project
Delivered to plan – Achieved 35
hires
“Going for Gold”
Canadian Council for
Aboriginal Business (CCAB)
•Progressive Aboriginal
Relations (PAR)
• AEES is instrumental in achieving
PAR Gold designation (Progressive
Aboriginal Relations)
CCAB PAR Gold awarded September
2012
5

6. Aboriginal Education & Employment Strategy (AEES)
Aboriginal Education & Employment Strategy Team
Jeannie Cranmer, Manager
• Community outreach: Career Information Sessions,
Career Fairs
• Strategic Partnership with BC Hydro, Industry, First Nations
and Aboriginal Organizations
• Develop and deliver training programs
Valerie Monkman, HR Advisor
• Aboriginal Recruitment: Identify applicants, review online
applications
• Applicant support, coaching and mock
interviews
• Coordinate work exposure opportunities:
6

7. Aboriginal Education & Employment Strategy (AEES)
Aboriginal Education & Employment Strategy Team
Melanie Woods, HR Analyst
• Administration, tracking and reporting
• Marketing and Promotion, special events
coordination
• Lead project manager for launch of the Aboriginal employee network-RAIN
National Aboriginal Day 2012
RAIN launch
• R - Respect all my relations
• A - Aboriginal
• I - Inclusions
• N - Nucleus
7

8. Aboriginal Employee Network-RAIN
Chief Ian Campbell presenting
at RAIN launch with Dan Doyle,
BC Hydro Board and Jeannie
National Aboriginal Day 2012.
8

9. Recruitment
Outreach activities
• Distribute & advertise job postings in Aboriginal communities
• Attend Career Fairs and provide career information sessions
• Manage Aboriginal applicants, providing support and feedback through the
recruitment process
• Strategic relationships and partnership to jointly promote training & employment
opportunities
Industry Training Authority
• $700,000 Skilled Trades Training
ast BC
Kevin Evans, CEO and Gary McDermott,
Director, Aboriginal Initiatives
9

10. Recruitment
On-the-Job Paid Training programs and Career Opportunities
AEES supports the recruitment and supports the development of aboriginal
employees through a number of programs:
• Youth Hire program – Summer employment
• Co-op job Program – University Students
• Community Outreach Representative – Power Smart– University Students
• GTT/EIT Programs – University Grads
Native Education College
Student Career Information
Session at BC Hydro
10

11. Recruitment
Recruitment – Our most successful program
Trades Trainee (Pre-apprenticeship Power Line Technician) - Learn to become
an Apprentice powerline technician
Requirements
Grade 12 High school graduation with the following courses:
• English 12
• Math 11 (or equivalents)
• Physics 11
A Class 5 driver's license with Air Brake Endorsement.
(Preference for Class 3 licence for Manual Transmission with ABE.)
The Trades Trainee Program is a two year temporary
opportunity to explore the Powerline Technician trade.
• Develop line skills so that you
are equipped to apply on an apprenticeship.
• Temporary assignment of 24 months on the job and 4 weeks
classroom training.
11

12. Recruitment
Apprenticeship programs
Requirements (Specific to each Apprenticeship)
High school graduation with English 12, Math 12 and Physics 12 or the
equivalent.
 Class 5 or 7N B.C. driver's licence. If you have a 7N licence, you’re able to
obtain your class 5 licence in a reasonable amount of time.
 Hands-on, physical work outdoors and have the fitness and upper body
strength to do this. You may be a man or a woman, and you may develop
this strength through a weight training program before starting the
apprenticeship.
Power Line Technician Learn to install, maintain and repair power lines
Electrician Learn to install, operate, test, and maintain electrical equipment
Mechanic Learn to operate and repair mechanical equipment at electric
generating stations
Meter Technician Learn to install, repair, and test electric meters and
associated equipment
12

13. Recruitment
Communications Protection & Control Technologist Trainee Learn to
install, maintain, and repair electronic power system equipment
Four years (48 months) of on-the-job technical training and self-study with annual
written and practical exams.
Diploma Program in Electrical / Electronics Engineering Technology from an
accredited institution, preferably with a Power and/or Communications Option.
Cliff Wale, Gitxsan FN
Field Operations Mgr.
• Assisting with safety
Gear for PLT Bucket Truck
Rides
13

14. Capacity Development - Applicant Resources
Trades Trainee Bursary (TTB)
Applications accepted on an ongoing, first come, first serve
basis. TTB’s are awarded to applicants who require upgrading
in order to meet the minimum requirements for one of our
Skilled Trades roles.
For an application email aboriginal.employment@bchydro.com
Aboriginal Scholarships Assisting tomorrow’s leaders today
Applications accepted January 28, 2013 to April 15, 2013
Grade 12 student planning to pursue a full-time post-secondary education and
students enrolled in a full-time post-secondary program
Students pursuing an education in technology or engineering will be considered
priority applicants.
Application forms and further details are available online at
bchydro.com/scholarships
14

15. Capacity Development – Partnerships
Business development, community investment and engagement
As part of planning for new projects, BC Hydro will encourage Aboriginal peoples
to take advantage of economic, social, and other opportunities and resources:
Aboriginal Procurement
BC Hydro’s Aboriginal Procurement Policy
http://www.bchydro.com/toolbar/about/partners___vendors/aboriginal_procure
ment.html
Skill Builder: BC Utilities Aboriginal Training Group
Administered by the Industry Council for Aboriginal Business (ICAB)
http://www.icab.ca/resources/skill-builders
• Utility Boots Camps
The Skill Builders Industry Training Group is a partnership between BC Hydro,
FortisBC, Kinder Morgan, and Spectra which is dedicated to providing skills
development for Aboriginal people and contractors for specific projects
throughout BC.
15

16. Capacity Development – Partnerships
Aboriginal Relations and Negotiations
bchydro.com/community/aboriginal_relations.html
Toll free 1 877 461 0161 #3
Sponsorships & Donations
bchydro.com/community/community_investment/
donations_sponsorships.html
Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC)
Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative (AWPI)
http://electricityhr.ca/aboriginal/
Industry Training Authority (ITA) Aboriginal
Advisory Council (ACC)
itabc.ca/content/aboriginal-initiatives
16

17. 17
OUR WORK IS ESSENTIAL TO DELIVER ON THE BC HYDRO VISION:
POWERING BC WITH CLEAN, RELIABLE ELECTRICITY FOR
GENERATIONS
For more information
1-877-461-0161 # 1 Employment
aboriginal.employment@bchydro.com