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LABOUR: New program to help meet skills shortage for oil and gas industry

    (AlbertaIndex, April 10, Thursday) --- The first recipients of the Oil and Gas Trades and Technology Bursary and Scholarship program were chosen by a jury in Calgary last month.                                             

    Adjusting to the changing demography of the aboriginal population and helping fill the demand for trained workers in the oil and gas industry, the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation said the program helps meet the needs of today’s changing world.

The program will fill the high demand for workers in the oil and gas industry and provide financial support to aboriginal people interested in developing skills for the oil and gas trades and technology sector in Alberta. First Nations Inuit and Métis can learn or upgrade skills or complete an apprenticeship in the province.

The bursary and scholarship program is supported generously by leading members of the industry including BP Canada, TransCanada, Suncor Energy Foundation, Petro Canada and Shell Canada.

“We are meeting the challenge by addressing the current labour force shortage in trades and technology, by providing financial incentives for First Nation, Inuit and Métis learners and apprentices preparing to enter OGTT studies in Alberta,” said National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation CEO Roberta Jamieson.

“NAAF is in a position to work collaboratively with the public and private sectors to leverage resources to explore develop and implement positive solutions that will benefit the Canadian economy and Aboriginal people and communities.”

Aboriginal learners may apply for bursary and scholarship awards in programs of study in accredited colleges, universities and institutes in Alberta. They will be in line to earn General Education Diploma, Applied Diploma or Degree Programs in Oil & Gas Trades & Technology fields, Academic Upgrading or Preparation, Pre-Trades Training and Apprenticeship Education Programs.

The Oil & Gas Bursary and Scholarship (OGTT) applications can be accessed on the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation website at www.naaf.ca under the Education Programs link. Deadline for the next application is April 30, 2008.

The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) is a nationally registered non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to deliver programs that provide the tools necessary for aboriginal youth to achieve brighter futures.

Since 1985 the Foundation has awarded more than $27.3-million in scholarships and bursaries to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across the country in all disciplines, including law, medicine, education, psychology, fine arts, business and computer sciences. Over $3-million was distributed in the last year.



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