First of its Kind Iohahi:io takes the lead in trades training
Grand Chief Tim Thompson, Chief Louis Lazore with Minister Kelly and Iohahi:io
Director Vincenette Cook
The Iohahi:io Akwesasne Adult Education Centre recently introduced trades training to Akwesasne in the hopes of replacing an aging trades workforce with younger newly trained trades people.
This experimental project—the first to be offered anywhere in Quebec—was spearheaded by Chief Louis Lazore and Rachel Roundpoint of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA), who negotiated to obtain the funding for this course. Vincenette Cook and Theresa Square of Iohahi:io as well as staff at the New Frontiers School Board were also vital to the development and implementation of this project. The Quebec Native Affairs Minister Geoffrey Kelly and his assistant Rejean Morissette aided in obtaining the funding to administer this project.
Twenty-two students were accepted into this pilot program, with courses to begin November 27th 2006, and lasting until October 15th 2007. Four trades are currently being offered at Iohahi:io under this new program: masonry, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical – as well as upgrading in math and English, as both subjects pertain to the specific trades.
Successful students will accumulate 400 hours towards the apprenticeship in their specific trade. Students who wish to continue studies in these trades may use these hours toward the 1250 total hours required for a Trades/Skilled Workers Diploma from the Quebec Minister of Education. Prerequisites for enrolment in the year long course is a high school diploma or equivalent. Full apprenticeship in carpentry is 6000 hours, and 8000 hours is required for the electrical apprenticeship. There are current accreditation agreements in place with the associated unions of Quebec, and negotiations for similar recognition within Ontario and New York State are ongoing.
This trade course is the first of its kind, and will be used as a model depending upon its success this year. It is the hope of all those involved in the implementation of this project that it can be the first of many throughout First Nations and Canada.
