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 coordinating 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 offers workshops and training opportunities, both online and in-person, to provide community members with the skills and knowledge necessary to secure employment during the construction and operation 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 that helps 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 relevant topics and skills.
This project has received support from Natural Resources Canada.