August

1995

Accessing
Employment
Opportunities
♦

he proposed power projects at the Keenleyside, Waneta and
Brilliant dams are expected to generate more than 4,400
direct personyears of employment over a period oftenyears.
This in turn will generate close to 300 indirectjobs in supply
and service industries, and will help to create long-term and
sustainable economic development for the region.

T

he projects will be built under the terms of a collective labour
agreement between Columbia Hydro Constructors (CHC) and
the Allied Hydro Council of British Columbia (AHC). The terms
of this agreement reflect values and priorities that are
important to the Columbia-Kootenay region; specifically,
environmental stewardship, efficiency, social and economic
development, equityemploymentandtrainingopportunities.

T

A

ccess for all qualified workers and contractors, both union
and non-union, is protected under the agreement. All
contractors will be permitted to bid and local companies will
be allowed to service the site. Previous restrictions that only
union companies may deliver to the site have been removed.
ualified local residents within 100 kilometres will enjoy
employment preference, and a broader preference will be
shown to residents of the Columbia Basin as a whole. Equity
employment initiatives will help to improve access for First
Nations people, women in non-traditional job
classifications, visible minorities and people with disabilities.

Q

(over)

o ensure that local residents will enjoy the opportunity to
compete for employment, access to training and
apprenticeship programs will be made available. Bridging and
Outreach programs will help the disadvantaged share in the
benefits that the projects will bring to the region.

T
A

s soon as the necessary regulatory approvals have been
secured, and prior to the start of construction, CHC will
establish an office in Castlegar to coordinate project
employment. This office will provide information about the
employment and training opportunities that will be available
on the Columbia-Kootenay region power projects.

For more Information, please contact:

Wally Penner
Manager, Community Relations
Columbia Basin Power Projects Information Office
1125 - 4 th Street
Castlegar, B.C. VIN2A8

Ph; (604)365-3189
(out of town callers please call collect)
Fax: (604)365-3186