Miller and instructor Andy Smith started picking Brandon up at his house and driving him to class in the morning, which provided him with the consistency he needed, particularly during the extreme weather. Miller said, “If you were a contractor taking on a young person, Brandon is a dream.” Brandon is one of about 40 students who have taken the CCW program through the PGNAETA/LIUNA partnership. Students who take part are not only provided education and training but receive wraparound supports from PGNAETA that include everything from child care for students juggling parental duties, to conflict resolution. Every service is aimed at helping students reach their full potential. They really support the students,” says Miller. “They LIUNA LOCAL 1611 have awesome leadership and amazing people. And PARTNERSHIP the kinships that arise between students and instructors are more positive than in any other facet of training we deliver.” WITH PGNAETA Miller was presented with a leadership award at the 2024 BC Indigenous Apprenticeship Forum in recognition of his work to advance training and employment opportunities for Indigenous people. He said he is honoured by the acknowledgement and At the beginning of the year through partnership credits his team at Training PLUS for being the boots with the PGNAETA, Local 1611’s Training PLUS on the ground delivering the hundreds of hours of (Professional Labourers’ Union School) provided a training, nurturing key relationships and having all the six-week Construction Craft Worker (CCW) course many conversations in the background that are to a group of students. In addition to technical required for any program instruction, students receive training in essential skills to be successful. and take part in cultural activities. Students also get a training allowance and all PPE is provided free of cost. Transportation continues to be a barrier for many students and workers. Specifically during this program, a young student named Brandon relied on alternative transportation. When his ride became unavailable, his only alternative was taking public transportation, arriving an hour early and sitting in -15 degree weather waiting for the doors to open. Local 1611’s Training Plan Administrator Tom Miller has seen many students who let transportation 28 become a roadblock, but he was impressed by Brandon’s determination and perseverance to finish 2 “The recognition from PGNAETA is the most 0 the course. E meaningful accolade that we’ve received in U S my time.” S I | 4 2 0 Tom Miller 2 R Local 1611’s Training Plan Administrator E SCAN THE QR CODE TO SEE A LIST B M OF TRAINING COURSES BEING E T OFFERED BY LIUNA LOCAL 1611 P E S