Funded jointly by Service Canada through Skeena Native Development and delivered by Nisga’a Lisims Government (NLG) in cooperation with Wilp Wilx-o’oskwhl Nisga’a, Nisga’a Elementary Secondary School (NESS), Northwest Community College (NWCC), Nisga’a Commercial Group and Laxgalts’ap Log & Timber Company (LLTC), a pre-apprentice program in carpentry and log home building was developed. 19 Nisga’a students, 3 of them are women, from all 4 Nisga’a communities started the pre-apprentice program on January 18, 2010. The first phase of the program is 20 weeks long and ends on June 4, 2010. Then they move down to Laxgalts’ap Log & Timber Company on June 7, 2010 for another 10 weeks. The logs will be supplied by LLTC. The goal of the project is to position the participants to be self sustaining with the log building skills they have acquired.

NLG is paying for the tuition, books & supplies and providing a training allowance for each student enrolled for the duration of the project. Daily attendance is mandatory and according to NWCC instructor Mark O’Hara attendance has been excellent at 90% and he says the students are a close knit group, helpful to each other, cooperative and with a high level of practical skills.

The students describe the experience as a very happy place to be, some are ecstatic to there, and fun opportunity and the best workplace ever. They get to stay at home and see family while they’re training. Some of them mentioned that they have been in similar programs before and there was no follow-up. There needs to be an employment & training facility in the Nass Valley.

Transportation was a barrier to the program and up until now, Nisga’a Commercial Group leases the van to NLG for transportation. For the second phase of the program the transportation is the responsibility of each student and they have agreed to car pool to the training site in Laxgalts’ap.

All tools are on loan from NWCC with an option for each student to purchase them at the end of the training program.

Also offered as an option is Driver Education for those who do not possess a driver’s license, a driving simulator will be brought in from Terrace and the students go on their own time. Other related certifications are provided such as WHMIS, first aid and fall protection.

The group is currently at Lorene Plant’s residence building a 12x12 shed. It is modular in design and construction. They built it piecemeal at NESS and brought it to the residence to assemble. Licensed carpenters and friends that have seen the building have said it is a good sound structure.

Edna Tait is the coordinator. Beside coordination Edna provides support when required. They are close knit and helpful to each other, they learn to work out their personal problems. For some individuals being in a training program and just living life day to day can be a very stressful situation. Edna is currently looking for job placement for them when they finish the program. So if you have a home project that requires carpentry, big or small, call Cal Albright, Director of Programs & Services, Nisga’a Lisims Government, Direct line: 250-633-3054, e-mail: calvina@nisgaa.net.