Enbridge’s Northern Gateway recently launched the Regional Skills and Business Database.
The database is an online tool designed to connect local residents from communities near the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline project to employment and business opportunities associated with the project and/or with Northern Gateway’s contractors and service providers.
The database is aimed at maximizing local benefits for the communities of the North and began as a commitment made during the Joint Review Panel process.
Northern Gateway was tasked by the panel, as part of the 209 conditions attached to the project, to build an inventory of aboriginal, local, regional people and businesses who want to work on the pipeline project and/or other projects near the proposed right of way – should the project be approved.
“People often ask us how they can take advantage of the opportunities the project will bring. We hear this during our community consultations and through our website’s jobs section – which is easily one of the most popular areas on the Northern Gateway website,” said Catherine Pennington, senior manager, NGP community benefits and sustainability.
“The Regional Skills and Business Database will help us track local capacity and need while giving us the ability to connect opportunity seekers with opportunities – both individuals and business.”
So far Northern Gateway said three million dollars has already been committed to support skills training, readiness and capacity development initiatives along the corridor.
Pennington said Enbridge has been funding different training and skills development in communities across the proposed pipeline route, including a marine skills training program on the west coast.
The Key in Fort St. James has benefited from some of these training dollars to help connect people to possible education opportunities for them.
“We are always interested in meeting with local communities to discuss partnership opportunities that help prepare individuals through skills training and capacity initiatives to meet the growing labour demands of the North,” added Catherine Pennington.
Interested parties can submit an application to the Regional Skills and Business Database and express their interest in working on the Northern Gateway Pipeline project.
There are applications for individuals, small to medium-sized businesses and larger businesses.
Individuals would be connected to contractors on the project looking for workers and there is an option to upload a resume.
Small to medium sized businesses would have opportunities to look at subcontractor opportunities and larger companies could then get connected to those working on the supply chain to get on a bidder’s list.
The Database is located at http://www.gatewayfacts.ca/benefits/opportunities/.
The Northern Gateway Project is a proposed 1,777-km twin pipeline system and marine terminal being proposed by Enbridge Inc. The proposed project would transport 525,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil for export and import 193,000 bpd of condensate.
