Preparing a Local Labour Force for Fly-in, Fly-out Futures: The Case of Aboriginal Tradespeople from Remote Reserves in Northwest Ontario

This paper analyzes a recent community-based initiative by the Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board (Northwest Ontario, Canada) to upgrade the skillsets and credential levels of reserve-based Aboriginal carpenters, electricians and plumbers in Northwest Ontario. The goal is the acquisition of vocational credentials that would be recognized off-reserve, thus broadening the labour market opportunities for reserve-based people. A model of the educational career path of the trades students is developed and critically discussed. The findings are then situated in the broader literature on gender and ethnic inequality in the labour market.