Thunderchild Energy Services and X-Terra Environmental Services incorporate BEAHR Workforce Training Program

Print 🖨

Oil and gas, utility and mining companies often incorporate local Indigenous Monitors on short-term construction jobs, but this work is often temporary with limited opportunity for training and personal career growth for interested individuals within the community. To help build environmental careers in the local Indigenous communities where they work, X-Terra Environmental Services Ltd. is incorporating the Eco-Canada Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources (BEAHR) Workforce training programs into the up-front environmental assessment of projects, construction monitoring and subsequent ongoing environmental monitoring. X-Terra instructors are now continually carrying out the BEAHR training program throughout the year, incorporating trainees into the various project types and clients for whom they work.

The Workforce training programs are also structured to incorporate the knowledge of local communities by inviting Elders and Traditional Knowledge Holders to participate in the course to ensure the material is culturally relevant to the trainees. The X-Terra BEAHR Coordinator works with each BEAHR trainee on a BEAHR Customizable Certificate which allows communities or individual students the opportunity to take the workforce training programs of their choice, based on local needs and employment or educational opportunities. The X-Terra BEAHR participants have the opportunity to take different courses at different points in their career and qualify for a certificate by completing at least 15 instructional weeks of the BEAHR training programs.

Once trainees complete the BEAHR Customizable Certificate, interested individuals can continue to pursue their environmental career path with these newly acquired skills, which includes opportunities for a longer-term position as an Environmental Technician on new and ongoing projects near their community. X-Terra’s clients have contributed to the success of this program through their outstanding support, including a paid field mentorship component into the training in addition to classroom sessions. Our client support allows trainees to participate in project-related field work near their communities as they become familiar with environmental assessment, construction and monitoring processes.

BEAHR participants from local communities work as Indigenous Technicians as part of the X-Terra field team during the environmental assessments of new projects, or as Indigenous Monitors on construction projects during their training, gaining real world experience and reinforcing the classroom training they have received. The BEAHR Program Coordinator acts as an adviser to each BEAHR participant, providing them with tools, techniques and guidance to complete their jobs.

In the field, the Indigenous Technician/Indigenous Monitor works in conjunction with the environmental assessment Team Lead or on-site Environmental Monitor who act as mentors, providing support and assistance on project specific tasks, and help to build general knowledge of the assessment, construction and reclamation practices associated with the industry. We are exceptionally proud of our contribution to the BEAHR program and have found this mentorship benefits the trainees by promoting interaction and progression in understanding, while also benefiting X-Terra’s clients in building relationships and engagement of local communities.

Thunderchild Energy Services and it’s subsidiary, X-Terra Environmental Services are working to transform temporary jobs in the energy sector into fulfilling environmental careers for Indigenous trainees working within their local indigenous communities. Incorporating the Eco-Canada Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources (BEAHR) Workforce training programs, we’re proud to support Indigenous trainees as they participate in project-related field work near their communities and become familiar with environmental assessment, construction and monitoring processes.

www.thunderchild.energy

www.xtec.ca