Women Building Futures announces exciting new job creation partnership

Edmonton AB—Women Building Futures (WBF), Alberta’s premier trades training organization for women, is pleased to announce a new partnership with the North West Redwater Partnership (NWR) and the Alberta Ironworkers Apprenticeship and Training Plan (Local 720).

“This is about empowering women to succeed in non-traditional careers while transforming the face of industry in Canada,” says JudyLynn Archer, President & CEO of WBF. “It’s amazing what can happen when organizations join together to create business solutions that also solve social issues.”

This unique partnership works to address the need for specific skilled trades to construct and maintain the NWR Sturgeon Refinery being built near Edmonton through pro-active recruitment, training and apprenticeship of women.

“The partnership between NWR, WBF and Local 720 will allow us to provide an elite, united workforce that provides excellence to the Ironworking industry,” says Scott Papineau, Apprenticeship Coordinator/Training Instructor, with Local 720.

Through this partnership, WBF and Local 720 will be offering a new Ironworker Readiness Training for women. Program Tuition is provided by NWR, and work experience and employment at NWR’s Sturgeon Refinery is provided in conjunction with their contractors. Participants will be indentured as Ironworking apprentices with the Alberta Ironworker Apprenticeship and Training Plan.

“Our industry needs more skilled labour and we know that despite their capabilities, women are underrepresented in this aspect of the workforce,” says Mike Yorke, Labour Relations Manager of NWR. “So for us this partnership was a no-brainer – we get to help some talented women start a new career and get our refinery built.”

WBF launched its recruitment effort on November 1. Engagement of Aboriginal women is one of its strategic priorities. Applications will be processed through WBF’s proven assessment program. Pre-assessment for drugs, alcohol and fitness-to-work will be provided through WBF’s assessment partner, SureHire Occupational Testing. Training begins at WBF including safety certification: Standard First Aid, CPR Level One, CSTS and WHMIS, OSSA Elevated Work Platform, OSSA Fall Protection; Workplace Culture Awareness™, and Worksite Safety and Productivity Standards, followed by a period of hands-on skill training at Local 720. Apprenticeship retention and completion support will be provided by WBF.

About Women Building Futures

WBF offers women pre-trades competency-based training in welding, steamfitting/pipefitting, plumbing, sheet metal, carpentry, electrical and heavy equipment operator training at their training centre in Edmonton, Alberta. WBF has quickly become the go-to place for women interested in a career in the trades and for companies wishing to diversify their workforce.

For more information about WBF, visit www.womenbuildingfutures.com

About North West Redwater Partnership

North West Redwater Partnership was formed in 2010 as a 50/50 partnership between North West Upgrading and CNUL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canadian Natural, to build the world’s first bitumen refinery which will combine the already proven processes of gasification technology with an integrated carbon capture and storage solution. The Sturgeon Refinery, which will be located 45 km north-east of Edmonton, is also the first refinery to sell its CO2 for the purposes of enhanced oil recovery. Phase 1 of the Sturgeon Refinery will convert 50,000 barrels of bitumen directly to fuels and other high value, low sulphur products required in the Alberta and world markets. The process is optimized to minimize the environmental footprint of the facility and make the bitumen upgrading/refining process sustainable in Alberta.

For more information about NWR, visit www.nwrpartnership.com

About Ironworkers Local 720

Ironworkers local 720 achieve a good standard of living and quality of life for our members in all phases of their careers, and for their families, by building a reputation for performance excellence and unsurpassed pride within the ironworker craft.

We forge and maintain strong partnerships with Owners and Contractors based on our commitment to provide excellent craftsmanship through safety, productivity and reliability.

It is our mission to ensure a credible and strong collective “voice” for our members in the workplace and the industry. We support and create opportunities for our members to contribute to our communities and our society as a whole.

For more information about Local 720, visithttp://www.ironworkers720.com/

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