Ontario Electrical Contractor 25 SUPERIOR C O N D U I T S F L E X I B L E S F L E X I B L E C O N D U I T S TEL: 1.800.561.4216 FAX: 1.800.230.9573 sales@superiorflex.com www.superiorflex.com FOR MORE INFO: SUPERSEAL LIQUID TIGHT CONDUIT • Strength and flexibility to handle stress and strain • Designed for dry, damp or wet locations • Temperature: -30o to +75o C • Bi-directional EHRC has undertaken significant consultation with both industry stakeholder and Indigenous communities over the past decade, and have identified both barriers and possible solutions which, when acted upon, will lead to greater Indigenous participation in the sector. Barriers to greater participation by First Nations, Métis and Inuit workers include: •  Challenges in attracting workers to the sector – limited knowledge and interest on the part of employers and Indigenous workers. Levels of educational attainment and essential skills within the Indigenous labour force that do not match the current requirements within the electricity and renewables sector. •  Difficulties in acquiring relevant job readiness skills due to geographic, financial and educational preparation constraints faced by First Nations, Métis and Inuit workers. •  Personal, family and community challenges in completing a successful transition to apprenticeship and/or electricity and renewables sector careers. •  Workplace practices that are not fully inclusive of Indigenous workers and culture. How to Build Success Based upon the research and consultations, we have identified 10 “gates to success” that characterize best practices and successful initiatives: 1.Establish a focus. 2.Operationalize what “success” means. 3.Invest effort to build effective partnerships. 4.Tailor to the community. 5.Start early (really early). 6.Consider the full “employment life cycle.” 7.Maintain required standards. 8.Be “high touch.” 9.Invest in relationships. Support the Indigenous cultural experience While it is evidently clear that there is no “magic solution,” several organizations within the electricity sector have had notable success in engaging First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit workers, individuals and communities. At the heart of these “best practices” captured in EHRC’s research study was the introduction of a dedicated strategy to address the attraction, recruitment and retention of Indigenous communities, and dedicated resources to ensure that relationships were developed and maintained. An unwavering focus on collaborative relationships and strategically targeted investments will be essential to continue building momentum. The study, which also includes tools for employers as well as best practices from a range of companies including the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario, can be found here: https://aabo.ca/?page_id=29