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Helping Tulita is also good business for BBE
At BBE,
our business is not just about being a successful, growing northern logistics
company. It is also about helping Northerners to be successful and to
prepare for the challenges that will come as a result of the resource
exploration and development industry. On May 1, 2006, BBE and Mackay Range
Development Corporation (MRDC) signed an agreement that allows both companies
to make a significant positive impact in the lives of Northerners, especially
in communities such as Tulita. Under this agreement, BBE and MRDC utilize
their combined strengths to develop new logistics and expediting business
and training opportunities in the resource rich Tulita District. In order
to ensure meaningful local participation, BBE has developed a program
to train local talent to be able to meet the needs of resource companies
operating in the region.
MRDC is based out of Tulita, NWT, and has done significant work to provide
business opportunities and encourage education among the community’s
youth. The community will soon feel the impact of the proposed Mackenzie
Valley Pipeline, given the stores of natural gas and coal in the Tulita
District. BBE and MRDC are helping residents develop skills that can be
put to work now and when the oil and gas industry arrives on their doorstep.
“We are currently training two Tulita youth, William Squirrel and
Chris Silastiak, to work with us to learn the logistics operation,”
says Stuart Russell, Vice President of Business Development for BBE. “They
will be training in our Yellowknife operations office, and when they are
finished, they’ll know the logistics game from loading and unloading
planes to operating heavy equipment to managing the computer tracking
systems.”
Both Silastiak and Squirrel actively pursued employment, bringing in their
resumes to MRDC President Wilbert Menacho. “Chris and William were
eager and willing to work, but they didn’t have the training needed
for the resource industry,” says Menacho, who brought the availability
and potential of the Tulita youth to Russell’s attention. From there,
the training partnership was born. “I’m very thankful to be
partners with BBE, and that BBE shares our vision of trained Northerners
who are able to benefit from the growing opportunities here. They can
see the potential and how our youth fit into it.”
Currently, Silastiak is learning to use BBE’s Logistics Management
System while Squirrel is training as yard and warehouse personnel, preferring
the “on the ground” cargo and aircraft loading side of the
business. “I’m really looking forward to the training,”
says Silastiak.
This isn’t just a one-time opportunity. BBE intends to expand its
training programs to include other northern youth who are interested.
“It’s a good opportunity,” adds Squirrel. “I like
it.”
This training program is part of a community wide effort to encourage
Tulita youth to succeed and benefit from the growing number of opportunities
available in the community, and to set examples to other young people
of what can be achieved. Menacho has been an active advocate and catalyst
for community development and wellness. Largely through his efforts and
encouragement, and the help of his many colleagues in the community Tulita
has seen the number of high school graduates go from zero to eight in
three short years.
“BBE is proud to be part of such a positive initiative, and we are
glad to be able to give back to the community by sharing our skills and
knowledge with the next generation of young workers who can use the training
to help the north grow,” says Russell.
This project was funded in part by the Government of Canada's Youth Employment
Strategy. For more information about the Government of Canada's Youth
Employment Strategy visit www.servicecanada.ca
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