b'A PARTNERSHIP FOCUSED ON BUILDING CAREERSM ore than 10 years ago, ATCOSkills Program, an immersive two-weekOver the past year, partnered with Saskatchewanshands-on training course on the skillsWicehtowak Frontec George Gordon First Nation toneeded to work and live in a camp.Services has run three skills construct one of the largestprogram cohorts with an 80% workforce housing camps in theThe program covers kitchen skills,employment retention rate. companys history. The project forhousekeeping, maintenance, and BHPs Jansen mine created jobs,customer service roles, along with softIts exciting to see the training, and revenue for the localskills such as effective communication,students thriving in their Indigenous communities.teamwork, safety practices andnew roles, says Tanya navigating the challenges of workingRexin, Indigenous Relations Fast forward to 2023, and ATCOaway from home. After successfulManager, ATCO Frontec.Frontec and George Gordoncompletion of the program, graduatesThe skills program has really Developments Ltd. restructured ascan be offered a full-time positionevolved since we started a majority Indigenous-owned jointwithin the lodge. it back in 2013, and were venture. Now known as Wicehtowakseeing more participants Frontec Services (WFS), this"This program will help address successfully completing collaboration has been awardedpoverty, as our community hasit, gaining confidence, the 2500-person Jansen Discoveryequitable access to sustainablevaluable experience, and Lodge camp services contract. long-term employment, training, andemployment.education, says Chief Bitternose, WFS has an impressive goal: toGeorge Gordon First Nation. It could achieve more than a 50% Indigenousbe life changing for our people. The employment rate at the camp. Topride I\'ve seen in our young graduates ensure a strong pool of candidates,will stay with me for a long time.theyve introduced the Indigenous Learn more: frontec.atco.com/partners'