NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: social sciences, education, employment

Objective(s): To inform development of high quality Aboriginal vocational education and training partnerships in northern Canada.

Project Description: The research is designed to inform development of high quality Aboriginal vocational education and training partnerships in northern Canada through: • promotion of greater dialogue and understanding between regions experiencing similar pressures related to employment and resource development; • compilation of past experiences with education, training, and employment programs; and • compilation and discussion of both the current knowledge of the short- and long-term impacts of developments on local labor pools, as well as ways to manage gaps between local labour capacity and the labor needs of a particular economic development. Using a case study method, the research will gather experiences of program participants as they transition from learning-to-work in two regions: the Beaufort Delta, and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alberta. These sites have been chosen for key similarities (Aboriginal workforce, experience with the oil and gas sector, experience education-business partnerships, etc) and differences (governance structures, stages of the resource development cycle, geographic location, etc,). Two sets of community visits will occur: when students are being trained, and then later when they are in the workforce. Approximately 20 participants in each region will be interviewed, including students, educators, members of the business community, and local knowledge holders. Interviews are open-ended and will last no longer than one hour each. Key informants (through local Aboriginal organizations and Aurora College) will help identify interview participants. In addition, secondary sources will be examined, including government and industry publications, academic reports, and newspapers. Analysis of interviews and secondary sources of data, followed by a final series of community visitations to help clarify and share results, will occur in the Fall 2011 and Winter 2012. As this is a community based research project, numerous people involved with education, training, and employment will be sought out for their input (students, educators, local knowledge holders, members of the business community, etc). Sharing results will first occur at the local level before reaching a wider audience. Subject to community direction, results of the research may be shared through the development of brochures, posters, a film, local radio interviews, public talks, and academic publications and presentations. A copy of the thesis will be sent to Aurora College, as well as any Aboriginal organizations requesting a copy. Results may also be translated into a local language other than English. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from April 11, 2011 to April 22, 2011.