Location: Maskwacis Cultural College and Pigeon Lake Health Centre
ABOUT IRON & EARTH Iron & Earth is a non-profit organization with roots in the fossil fuel industry. We create pathways to opportunities in the net-zero economy to empower fossil fuel workers, Indigenous Peoples, and their communities. Our programs lower barriers to building community-led climate solutions for a sustainable future through engagement, training programs, infrastructure projects, and career platforms. In 2020, Iron & Earth worked with Desmond Bull from the Louis Bull Tribe to develop two community-based rapid upskilling programs. One program focused on solar and the other on wind energy. These programs include in-class work and hands-on training involving the installation of a small solar or wind energy system. In 2022, Iron & Earth partnered with Maskwacis Cultural College to deliver these training programs.
This year, we are thrilled to announce a new partnership initiative with Maskwacis Cultural College and Pigeon Lake Health Centre. Together we are launching a Community Wind Skills Training Program starting on November 14, 2023! The 2023 Community Wind Skills Training Program will be a 7 to 9 days wind energy training program starting on November 14, 2023 and will run from 9:00 am and 4:00 pm MT daily.
We are currently accepting applications from fossil fuel industry and Indigenous workers, as well as interested Community members, based in Maskwacis and the surrounding areas with an interest in learning the skills needed to participate in wind energy project design, installation and maintenance. Thanks to the generous contributions of several funders, the Community Wind Skills Program will be available at no cost to participants.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM We wish to honor those who have stewarded the land since time immemorial and extend our sincere thanks to the Four Nations of Maskwacis for welcoming the Community Wind Skills Program to be hosted on their lands. We acknowledge that the location of the training program is situated on Treaty 6 territory, traditional lands of the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux and on the homelands of the Métis Nation Region II. Community Wind Skills Program The Community Wind Skills Program begins on November 14, 2023 and includes seven to nine days of training sessions, Monday to Friday, from 9 am - 4 pm MT daily. The first part of the program will involve in-class learning at Maskwacis Cultural College. The second part of the program will take place at the Pigeon Lake Health Centre, where participants will gain hands-on experience with the installation of a 2 kW micro wind turbine. The combination of in-class learning with hands-on experience installing a micro wind energy system will provide participants with wind energy project installation experience. The Community Wind Skills Program provides context on wind energy generation projects and on the importance of incorporating Indigenous traditional knowledge and practices throughout the project life cycle. To deepen participant understanding of these important contributions, the in-class portion of the program will include cross-cultural learning guided by a local Elder and education regarding reconciliation, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and Indigenous perspectives on renewable energy. The knowledge and experience provided by the Community Wind Skills Program will empower program participants to find and pursue meaningful work along related career pathways. Conceptual Lens The conceptual lens brings focus to the treatment and delivery of content. For this course, the conceptual lens is: Knowledge and experience of wind power installationsthat empowers participantsto support large wind projectsin their community and to pursue related careers.
Key Concepts These concepts support the delivery of course content through the conceptual lens identified.
By the end of the course, participants will understand how multiple pieces of content contribute to:
● Safety
● Efficiency
● Climate Change
● Cultural Connections
● Net-Zero Future
● Renewable Careers Course Outcomes
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
● Recognize the traditional cultural practices of the host community
● Represent a wind electricity project lifecycle
● Explain how electricity can be generated by wind power
● Have knowledge and experience necessary to pursue work as an employee on a large-scale wind energy project
● Practice safe work routines appropriate to the task and environment
● Provide context for wind power technicians working in a specific community
● Represent and share the environmental benefits of wind-generated electricity
● Identify pathways into renewable-based careers and training opportunities that interest them Course Outline 1. Unit 1: Cultural and Environmental Awareness 2. Unit 2: Wind Awareness 3. Unit 3: Electrical Awareness 4. Unit 4: The Life Cycle of a Wind Project 5. Unit 5: Regulations, Environment & Community Impact
REQUIRED AND PREFERRED APPLICANT QUALITIES
Participants in this course must:
● Have reached the age of majority by November 1, 2023.
● Have completed Grade 10 (minimum).
● Have experience in the fossil fuel industry, Or:
● Be a member of an Indigenous community.
Participants in this course should:
● Have experience in construction and/or general labor (including farm labor). In partnership with United for Literacy (formerly Frontier College), Iron & Earth is able to support interested participants with foundational skills tutoring prior to the start of the program. One-on-one or small group tutoring support can include Digital Literacy (such as navigating online courses, tools and materials), Reading, Writing, and Numeracy (math skills) as directed by participant needs.
Course participants will need to have the following active certifications/tickets in advance of the Community Wind Skills Program start date (Iron & Earth will coordinate these courses with participants and pay upfront for costs):
● Standard First Aid (includes some online studying, and one day of in-person training)
● WHMIS Training (2 -3 hours, online)
● Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)(2-3 hours, online)
● Electrical Safety Training System (ESTS)(4-6 hours, online)
● Ground Disturbance (2-3 hours, online)
Iron & Earth in coordination with MCC will arrange for participants to obtain the listed certifications/tickets in advance of the Community Wind Skills Program, at no cost for participants.
A UNIQUE MODEL Unique elements of our Community Wind Skills Program include: 1. Designed for, and focused delivery for, fossil fuel industry workers and Indigenous community members 2. Iron & Earth’s unique model: about 5 days in class and up to 3-4 days of hands-on experience - installing a working renewable energy system 3. Indigenous ways of knowing reflected in the course structure and content 4. Connection to a career mentorship program for program graduates
ADDITIONAL DETAILS Dates and Hours
● Prior to the training starting date, to be completed by November 8, 2023 : Pre Program reading and pre-requisite certificates (hours vary by trainee)
● Starting on November 14, 2023, 4 to 5 days of in-class training hosted atthe Maskwacis Cultural College approximately from 9 am - 4 pm,
● Week of November 20, 2023, 3 to 4 days of hands-on experience will occur atthe Pigeon Lake Maskwacis Health Centre, exact days and hours to be confirmed Location
● Maskwacis Cultural College in Maskwacis, Alberta (Link to map)
● Pigeon Lake Maskwacis Health Centre, Alberta (Link to map)
How to apply
● Please fill out the application form here.
NOTE: Please note that the program delivery structure and location information is subject to change to ensure participant safety and wellness.
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