What better way to learn when there is a meal shared and friendships gained? From right: instructor Akhil Manne, Dale Mundy Sr., Patrick Morgan, NETP case manager Tyson Touchie, Lil’ Star Frank, and Iris Arlene Frank, break for a hot lunch during a recent Food Safe Level 1 course at the NETP Ucluelet office.
“I’ve never seen so much construction as there is now and I’ve lived here since 1978,” he continued. “Real estate and construction are strong, new homes and apartments are being built, and new arrivals are often younger families who are bringing businesses or jobs with them.” In 2021, there were 4,255 Indigenous people in Port Alberni, making up 16.8 per cent of the population. B.C.’s proportion of Indigenous people is 5.9 per cent, and in Canada it is 5.0 per cent, according to Statistics Canada’s latest census.
“Those kids are already 17 and entering the workforce now,” Brown said. “It’s been my feeling for a while that employers are really going to have to step up and start employing Indigenous people like they didn’t use to.” In the Northern Region, NETP is working with Ehattesaht First Nation to bring a chainsaw safety course to the remote community 70-kilometres west of Gold River.
Cranmer explained that NETP works one-on-one with clients and helps cover any barriers clients might face.