A group of 22 Ahousaht youth, ages 18 to 30, successfully completed training in the BladeRunners program, held on the West Coast of Vancouver Island from March 1 to March 31. A celebration was held for them at the Ahousaht Youth Centre on the last day of their training.
April Charleson, Bladerunners Coordinator with the Nuu-chah-nulth Employment and Training Program, and NETP manager Peter Doukakis met with Ahousaht leadership in early February to discuss training possiblilities, Charleson reported to Ha-Shilth-Sa. From that meeting it was planned that training be focused on Marine opportunities and tourism on the coast, “where the jobs are for the Ahousaht community,” said Charleson.
“With the help of the Social Development department and Anne Atleo, we started recruiting participants for the training.”
Training included a combination of WHMIS, Basic Marine First Aid, Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP), Restricted Operator Course Maritime (ROCM), Marine Emergency Duties (MEDA3), Swiftwater Rescue Technician (with the marine training group only), Paddle Canada Advanced Flatwater SUP Skills Course (for the coastal tourism group), Wild Life Awareness, Customer Service Training, World Host, daily life skills, personal and in the working environment, and participants also heard from a couple young Nuu-chah-nulth-aht who have been working in the tourism industry and own their own business or are starting a new business.
The group received 9 certificates to add to their resumes, in addition to 35 hours of life skills essentials, Charleson reported.
