Several participants in the Connect2Skills construction training program have been hired after helping build new homes in Neyaashiinigmiing.
The Four County Labour Market Planning Board says in a release, working with Habitat for Humanity on July 23 was the culmination of the free six-week training program for participants.
Participants got to experience building scaffolding, working at heights while putting up rafters, leveling out the gravel foundation, putting foam molds into place, and pouring concrete into molds to assist in building four new houses.
Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce Greg Fryer, and Construction Manager Matt Bryan say they were pleased to have partnered up with the Planning Board on the project and supervise the volunteers over the day.
“We are thrilled to be able to provide this hands-on learning experience for the Connect2Skills participants. Our partnership has huge potential for preparing people for rewarding careers in construction,” says Fryer.
One program coordinator who volunteered for the day says, “it was nice to see the construction participants putting their training into practice, and finding out how much hard work is involved.”
Through the training program, Habitat for Humanity was able to hire one participant immediately, while 50 per cent of the others found work elsewhere.
Executive Director of the Planning Board Gemma Mendez-Smith notes the graduates of the program were happy to be giving back to the community in a tangible way, enjoying the sense of accomplishment the project gave them.
“It was eye-opening for some of them to see how what they learned in the classroom was put into practice on the job site,” Mendez-Smith adds.
Habitat for Humanity is pleased to continue partnering with the Planning Board in the future.
Editor’s note: This story was updated from a previous version to correct a number of people hired.