Mike continues; “ACCESS, the Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society delivers the BladeRunners program and we work closely to try to place individuals within our company. We currently have two individuals from the program that have done really well.” BladeRunners provides life skills, job readiness skills, work experience, on-the-job training, job coaching and ongoing supports to unemployed or precariously employed young adults at risk. “Unfortunately, there is a stigma about flaggers and it’s terrible. I want people to know this is a profession. It can be a great career. However, because we are an Indigenous company we need to set our bar even higher because there are people that don’t want us out there and we have a lot to face with existing stereotypes,” Mike explains. One of our employees was able to buy his first car, based on the stable work environment and earning potential we were able to provide to him. That is why it is important that we create a workplace environment where people know they are safe and that they can thrive. “I am confident that we will succeed. We started just three years ago with no trucks, working at a substation. Fast forward to today, we are close to having 20 trucks and now employee 40 people. “Even our logo is a result of meaningful connections and experiences. When I was younger, I was at the Sooke Potholes Provincial Park in Sooke, B.C. We were driving along the highway, when I noticed a guy hitch hiking who looked about our age, so I picked him up. His name was Carey Neuman, and he ended up becoming a good friend. Carey is an exceptionally talented and successful artist, and he designed our logo for me. I included the medicine wheel, which is significant to me because of my Ojibway culture.” “The growth has been rapid, and I believe it’s due to the team that we 7 have built and the positive workplace environment we are creating. Our goal is to establish a safe environment where our employees feel secure 2 0 and are able to showcase their skills and abilities. We want everyone to E U succeed, and we know that together, as a team, we can achieve that.” S S I | 4 2 0 2 R E B M E T www.bearclawtraffic.ca P E S