Edmonton program to train Indigenous women for work on Trans Mountain pipeline

A dozen Indigenous women from central Alberta are about tobegin acourse that could land them jobs in the construction of the multi-billion dollar Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project.

A joint program between Women Building Futures and the Trans Mountain Expansion Project will train the women forwork on the $6.8-billion project which isexpected to begin in September.

Valerie Moses, coordinator of the TMEP pipeline readiness program, said the eight-week course will cover safety as well as basic training in carpentry and welding.

Completing the program alone canmore than double what participants mightexpect to make in future income, Moses said.

The program estimatesthe wages of the average participant will rise from$11.62 an hour to$27.

"I saw eyes light up from every age and stage in life when we talk about that income increase and the mobility it gives from an economic standpoint," Moses said.

• Trudeau cabinet approves Trans Mountain, Line 3 pipelines, rejects Northern Gateway

• Kinder Morgan to proceed with Trans Mountain pipeline expansion pending financing

The project will triplethe capacity of the Trans Mountainpipeline to 890,000 barrels a day, movinga mix of oil products from Edmonton to a terminal in Burnaby, B.C., near Vancouver.

Several Indigenous groups have expressed opposition to the expansion.

The 12 participants, shortlisted from a list of43 applicants,come from the Samson Cree Nation, Paul First Nation andEdmonton.

They also come from a wide range of backgrounds, Moses said.

Some are new mothers whileothers are looking for a second career.

"We really have a diverse audience that we are working with," Moses said. "What we do is ensure the women who come into our training programs are informed about the commitment they are making."

When the program ends in August, the womenwill become part of a databasefrom which pipeline contractors will be expected to hire first before searching for skilled labourers.

For those unsuccessful in obtaining jobs on the pipeline, Women Building Futures will help them find jobselsewhere.