1. science
2. engineering

Invitation To Collaborate
First Nations Natural Resources Paradigm Shift
• In the last decade Aboriginal people have realized significant growth in the capacity to control,
plan, manage, and develop natural resources in Canada.
• This trend is expected to grow exponentially with political leaders establishing a new level of
control of their natural resources, arising from the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2014 Tsilhqot’in
decision.
• Capacity development is an integral in communities to facilitate planning, governance,
management, and the development of natural resources in a manner that integrates cultural
objectives.
• One avenue of capacity building is technical training and education such as materials testing and
environmental monitoring for the construction industry.
• ABORCON is a new company established for the sole purpose of delivering training to
employment for Aboriginal peoples in the materials testing and environment industry.
Materials Testing Industry
• The materials testing industry alone is a $2.3 billion dollar industry growing 20%
from 2005 – 2011 (outpacing the economy by 11%).
• Currently provides high-value employment for approximately 20,000 people who
earn above average career earnings ($50,000 per year)
• Aboriginal capacity development in this industry through employment and economic
development measures will enable Aboriginal communities to:
1
Have greater control and capacity to assess and manage their natural resources;
2
Broaden their scope of engagement (before during and after development proposed), and
elevate their level of participation during the construction process
3
Improved partnership capacity (with public and private partners); and
4
Enjoy improved outcomes (economic, social & cultural) from natural resources in their
territories.
What is Materials Testing
• Materials Testing is a specific and necessary process performed prior, during and post
construction, to ensure that building materials meet engineered requirements. These
processes are implemented in other land planning and development projects such as
agricultural, commercial, residential, green space.
• Quality Management is the monitoring of the ongoing testing , documenting and
reporting of testing results throughout the life of a project. The results are managed
through the Total Quality Management System (TQM) which documents that the materials
testing was performed properly, that the materials, environmental management , safety
programs, traffic management, or any other vital component of the project met proper
specifications/ regulations, and if they did not, what steps where taken to remedy the
situation.
• Particularly relevant to First Nations interests is Environmental Management , which
assesses the potential and real impact(s) to the land of proposed and current development.
Aborcon
• ABORCON is a limited company owned by Jane Johnston of the Talhtan Nation and Canadian Construction
Materials Engineering and Testing Ltd (CCMET).
• Jane Johnston has 15 years of experience developing and delivering successful culturally relevant education
programs, delivered in class and on-line.
• CCMET is an employee owned company with 14 subsidiary companies, and 27 years of proven expertise in
engineering and materials testing, geotechnical and environmental engineering, total quality management, and
concrete restoration.
• CCMET has 12 testing facilities in locations across western Canada, 10 mobile laboratories, more than 200 CCiL
certified technicians, technologists and engineers.
ABORCON
ABORCON and our partners are committed to supporting the capacity
development of Aboriginal communities, and increasing employment and
Aboriginal participation in the materials testing industry. To realize this
goal ABORCON is developing three streams of accredited, industry
certified training, and developing ancillary opportunities that include:
I.
Aboriginal Training Instructor Development;
II.
Training to Employment (Management Program Development); and
III. Aboriginal Materials Testing Industry Economic Participation.
I. Aboriginal Training Instructor Development
ABORCON will recruit, train and certify Professional Aboriginal Instructors through NVIT’s
First Nations Professional Instructor Diploma Program whom will deliver Aborcon’s
curriculum.
Pre-requisites for Instructor Training include: High School GED, Grade 11 Math and Grade
11 English, or permission of Dean.
This development of Trainers will support the needs of the ABORCON’s growth in Western
Canada.
II. Training to Employment
The ABORCON Aboriginal Materials Testing (Level I) Technical Training Program is presented in laddered
streams, with each component to be delivered over approximately 6 weeks using blended methods (e-based
learning, in-class instruction, and field/lab experience) in communities for:
• Concrete Technician Level 1 Certificate (Land Development), including knowledge, skills development
and mentored work experience, which meet industry employment requirements
• Granular Soils Technician Level 1Certificate (Land Development), including knowledge, skills
development and mentored work experience, which meet industry employment requirements; and
• Environmental Certificate (Land Management Skills), including mentored work experience. This training
includes understanding how to improve capacity to manage referrals in First Nations traditional
territories (e.g. assessments and plans as they relate to referrals).
II. Training to Employment Cont.…
Upon completion of the program, participants will be certified by CCiL, which is the current regulating
body with the highest standards within the testing industry. NVIT will accredit the training to ensure
participants have all the culturally relevant academic supports for transitioning and the successful
completion, and laddered into additional education, if desired.
Pre requisites for ABORCON’s Training certification are:
Tier 1 - High school graduation or General Education Development (GED); and
Tier 2 - Entrance testing for adult applicants (per NVIT).
Successful participants will be offered employment opportunities with ABORCON Construction, the
CCMET group, and strategic partners in the industry.
III. Aboriginal Materials Testing Industry’s
Economic Participation Opportunities
ABORCON will work with interested Aboriginal communities to establish partnership
ventures in areas such as natural resource management, development and training, all of which
are integral components of Nation Rebuilding.
CCMET has proven experience working with industry leaders which will contribute to these
partnerships, including but not limited to: BC Hydro, Fortis BC, Public Works and
Government Services, Trans Canada, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, BC
Ferries and Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans.
Finally, Aboriginal communities wishing to establish partnerships with ABORCON will be
supported to access Aboriginal business and training funding programs (e.g. Aboriginal
Financing Institutions such as: First Citizens Fund, Service Canada and Aboriginal
Employment Skills Training Strategy).
ABORCON
Utilizing this three pronged approach, supported by the expertise of ABORCON’s
industry partners, and its strategic partnerships within Aboriginal communities we are
able to assist with capacity growth and skills building on a variety of levels. Providing
avenues for meaningful and sustainable employment in the flourishing materials testing
and environmental industries .
Aboriginal Training
Instructor Development
Training to Employment:
Management Program
Development
Aboriginal Materials
Testing Industry
Economic Participation
CC MET Partnership
• Materials Testing Industry leader and one of the largest Materials Testing companies in
Western Canada
• Experts in; Environmental, Geotechnical & Materials Engineering , Concrete Restoration
and Remediation, Materials Testing and Total Quality Management for QC, QA, Traffic,
Safety and Project Management
• Will provide technical support and training development within ABORCON, to increase
capacity of technical staff and project managers
CC MET Clients & Industry Partnerships;
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
BC Hydro,
Fortis BC,
Public Works and Government Services,
Trans Canada,
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure,
BC Ferries,
Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans, and
Private Sector Engineering and Development firms.
• Ministry of
Advanced
Education &
Training
• Ministry of
Aboriginal
Relations and
Reconciliation
• Service Canada
• AANDC
• New Relationship
Trust
• Aboriginal HR
Canada
STRATEGIC INDUSTRY PARTNERS
•NVIT
(Accrediting body)
•Aboriginal
Employment &
Training
Organizations
•New Aboriginal
Employment to
Training Program
•ASTT BC
STRATEGIC FUNDING PARTNERS
STRATEGIC TRAINING PARTNERS
Invitation to Partner with ABORCON
• Aboriginal
Mentoring and
Training
Association BC
• BC Construction
Association
• Canadian
Construction
Association
• CC MET &
Client Base
Dialogue and Feedback
• What is your vision for Economic growth and employment in your community?
• How can we serve your organization or community to achieve your vision?
• What strategic partnerships would you like to develop to realize your goals and
needs as they relate to economic development?
• What are the specific skills and training needs related to your vision that you
foresee in the coming years?
• How can we collaborate in the delivery of skills training and technical services?
Thank you for your time and attention, we look forward to
hearing from you.
Erin Manahan: [email protected]
Karen Smecher: [email protected]
Materials Testing
Environmental Services
Total Quality Management
6991 Curragh Avenue
Burnaby BC V5J 4V6
t 604 438 8814