b'REGIONAL SPOTLIGHTThe federal government recognizesapprenticeship program in the Tlichothe southhas pushed wages higher, the challenges facing the sector andregion north of Yellowknifethe Tlichoespecially for high-demand trades. launcheda$393-millionnation- Trades Apprenticeship ProgramwhichThere was just a job posting the other wide plan to create more than 42,000will support small businesses to hire,day for heavy equipment operators for apprenticeships across the country.train and retain first-year apprentices$40 an hour, depending on experience. This includes getting directly involveduntil2025. It can go even higher because people in building opportunities for trades- just need operators, Stiopu says.people in Yellowknife and in the greaterThe tight labour market in the Norththe Northwest Territories. As one example,Northwest Territories has lower unem-Ottawa pledged $2.4 million for a tradesployment rates than many regions inNationwide, the construction sector has seen a 6.6 per cent wage increase from 2021 to 2022, bringing the national hourly average to $27.50. In the North, it is often higher. All told, the economy of the Northwest Territories has more labour market participation, with a median household income of $127,000, far above the Canadian average of $84,000. As a proud member of CCAB, TARA Energy Services is committed to improving not just the products and services we offer, but all aspects of the widerIn order to fill the growing labour gap, communities where we live and workalways focusing on making a positiveone solution gaining ground is to bring impact and being accountable for all our social responsibilities. more underrepresented groups into It is also a priority at our organization to understand and respect the culturesthe trades, such as women, immigrants and needs of the local Indigenous peoples with whom we interact. Their voicesand Indigenous people. In 2021, for are valued, heard, and carefully considered at every step because we believeinstance, only 2.4 per cent of working-that forming strong relationships and partnerships is the key to mutual success. age apprenticeship certificate holders We have fully executed Joint Ventures with Blueberry River First Nation in NEBC,were women, so there is tremendous and Alexander First Nation in Alberta. These partnerships create a space forpotential for growth among this demo-open communication and mutual growth between Tara Energy Services and the Indigenous communities in which we work and reside.graphic as well as the other two.Our emphasis on sustainability and quality control at every level of ourAs an Indigenous woman, Stiopu operations makes it possible for our customers to drastically reduce emissions, improve wellsite safety, reduce risks, and exceed regulatory requirementschecks off two of the three boxes. Our Canadian operating hubs in Grande Prairie and Fort St. John are frequentlyWhile there used to be multiple searching for suitable candidates to help continue to grow our team. We arebarriers of entry into the industry for always looking for service technicians, shop assistants, operators, truck drivers,women, she says times have changed. and more. If youre ready to be a part of a team that is paving the way on GHGShe recalls being told from an early reduction and green innovations, send your resume with your intended positionage that she would face challenges in the subject line to careers@taraenergyservices.com.entering the trades as an Indigenous woman. But by the time Stiopu started working in the early 2000s, the chal-lenges were already lessening. Lots of people said its going to be hard; some guys are still stuck in the olden days, and certain things like that, she says. But I did the [training] course, I loved it, and I went to work.In her decades-long career, Stiopu has seen firsthand an increase in repre-sentation, a hopeful sign. Im seeing more women get involved in heavy equipment and theres definitely more women involved in the trades, shesays. 18A CCAB PUBLICATION2023'