This training program provided citizens and leadership from five BC First Nations with various skill-building and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
Each of the participating Nations has a remote population in a community that relies on diesel generation and is at varying stages of developing run-of-river hydropower projects with the support of Barkley Project Group. The project proponent is Dzawada’enuxv First Nation, located in Kingcome Inlet. Dzawada’enuxv is finalizing the development of the Padakus Creek Hydro project, which is expected to be commissioned in 2024. Barkley Project Group’s role involves co-ordinating all training opportunities, including travel and logistics, directly providing mentorship and bespoke training when no existing certification or course exists, facilitating site tours and workshops for leadership, and managing overall projects.
Remote communities face unique challenges when pursuing clean energy projects. Human resource challenges arise due to diverse circumstances, including low populations, the high cost and logistical challenges that citizens face when pursuing training and education opportunities outside of the community, and barriers to accessing digital and other learning resources.
To combat these challenges, this program involves workshops, and training opportunities offered both online and in-person to provide community members with the skills and knowledge required to gain employment during the construction and operations phases of hydropower project development. Training is provided at no cost to participants. Barkley Project Group works closely with each of the partner Nations to identify training needs, as well as with individual citizens to provide logistical and other support to help ensure their success.
Training includes construction management and safety, occupational first aid, swift water rescue, high voltage, confined space, environmental monitoring, danger tree assessment, clean energy leadership, and other topics/skills.
This project has received support from Natural Resources Canada.