Montana First Nation hosts job fair to get people into the oil and gas industry

Chris Stewart
APTN News
The Montana First Nation hosted a job fair for people in the community in the hopes of getting people jobs in various industries.

More than a dozen companies, mostly in the oil and gas sector, and agriculture came looking for workers – good ones.

Adam Hodge from Hodge vegetation was one of them looking for labourers.

“This is very exciting to showcase our company to the members of the Nation. To hopefully have a pipeline where we can provide jobs and have good employees and assets in our company as well,” he said.

Chief Leonard Standing on the Road says the people in Montana would be a good fit.

“We have a lot of graduates now that are pondering what kind of career they want to get into,” said Standing on the Road. “And this is an example of what they can get into.

“So it’s a really exciting time for this community.”

Vickie Wetchie is the executive director of the Akamihk Development Society for Montana.

She said there are many different trades here looking for workers.

“We have a lot of environmental companies… it’s not just all pipeline. It’s other industries that are related to, or do other services that can be used with first nations and other communities,” she said.

The people APTN News spoke with are hoping to work in oil and gas.

“Actually, I’m looking into oil and gas because it’s a booming business and it’s not going anywhere soon,” said David Rabbit.

“It’s probably going to be around as long as they can.”

“I can see myself getting into welding or the pipefitting,” said attendee Peggy Cowston. “I have a bit of experience and education background in that.

“Labourer, that’s easy for me, so I can do that.”

The Montana First Nation sits abut 90 kilometres south of Edmonton.

It’s the smallest First Nation that makes up the four Nations of Hobbema.

cstewart@aptn.ca

@aptnchris