Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my statement, my question today is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment on the NWT Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupational Certification Strategy.
Can the Minister confirm if there have been any discussions with BHP, the prime contractor for the Stanton Hospital, on efforts to meet the objectives as set out in the strategy? Masi.
Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Members know, we did release the Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupation Certification Strategy in May of last year. The implementation of the strategy is being guided by the advisory committee, as well as working groups comprised largely of industry stakeholders, so I think it's about time that we do get an update, so we will be working with the working groups, as well as the advisory committee to get an update, and we'll be happy to share that information with the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thanks for the response from the Minister here. My next question is: in the issuance of the RFP at the beginning of this project, were there targets set to achieve X number of tradespersons within the project?
One of the focuses of the ATOC Strategy is to create jobs for northern residents where opportunities provide themselves, and I think the project for Stanton was a big part of that, or any of our industry opportunities where our Northerners can get jobs in the industry field. Specifically for this Stanton project, I'm not sure if there were targets set, but I can find that out from my other colleagues here and get back to the Member.
The ATOC Strategy, when we did release it, we wanted to increase participation in the skills, trades, and occupations as well as improving completion rates of anybody who were apprentices or journeyman.
I'm glad to hear the departments are working with the other departments on the other side here to try to achieve the goals as set out in the first RFP process during the procurement. My next question is related to hearing the Minister will provide the information: will the Minister also include in the information what was targeted in the request for the RFP and how much it has produced today in terms of apprentice trades accomplishing their hours?
A strong labour market is critical to the NWT's economic future. We know that there are jobs out there. We have projects that are on the go throughout the Northwest Territories, and we want to provide the skills and the opportunities for Northerners to fill those jobs and be certified and be ready when new opportunities come up.
Specifically for that project, like I said, I don't know the numbers or if there were actually rates and targets that were set, but I can find out that information and get back to the Member. With all large projects in the NWT, we obviously want to have Northerners fill those positions, and with the ATOC Strategy, we are making sure that they have the skills that are needed, the training that is needed, so that they can fill those opportunities.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like the Minister to confirm narrowing it down to four different trades, if that information could be included, third- and fourth-year apprentice individuals for electricians, plumbers, and pipefitters, and also include drywallers as well in the report that he's going to provide. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Presently, we have about 389 apprentices registered in the Northwest Territories. There are also 92 journeyperson certifications that were issued in the 2015-2016 fiscal year, 73 more in 2016-2017, and 54 journeyperson certificates issued to date in the 2017-2018 fiscal year. We do have some of that information, and we can share that information with the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
