HALIFAX — Atlantic trucking companies looking for more manpower behind the wheel may be able to get it from the Aboriginal community after an employment partnership was truck between Ottawa and native leaders.

The Ministry of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union, and the Trucking Human Resource Sector Council have signed an agreement to work together in developing job opportunities for Aboriginals in the nursing and trucking industries in Nova Scotia.

“Partnerships such as these will assist in providing important information to the Aboriginal workforce in the promotion of current and future employment opportunities within the Province of Nova Scotia,” said Minister Jim Minister.

“The goal is to remove the obstacles that separate employers and employees, and attract enthusiastic Aboriginal employees to the nursing and trucking sectors.”

The parties agree to work to promote and facilitate employment of Aboriginal persons within their respective organization at all levels; facilitate constructive cultural relations; enhance linkages to the Aboriginal labour force; promote employment, retention and career development opportunities for Aboriginal people; identify potential business development initiatives; and develop an action plan laying out both short- and long-term employment strategies.

The Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union and the Trucking Human Resource Sector Council will conduct an inventory of their workplaces and identify areas where they may have current or future vacancies.

Ottawa through the Aboriginal Workforce Participation
Initiative (AWPI), will help communicate this information to Aboriginal organizations that will in turn use it to develop training programs, help people make informed career choices and take advantage of business opportunities.

“The trucking industry in Atlantic Canada is facing a shortage of skilled workers throughout our industry,” said THRSC President David Miller.