For Job Seekers | For Project Employers

For Job Seekers

How Workers are Selected

All qualified Manitobans can register for work on the Wuskwatim project. However, in support of the provincial government’s Northern Development Strategy and northern training programs, qualified workers from Aboriginal communities close to the construction site, and people from northern Manitoba communities, will be given first consideration for employment as defined in the Burntwood Nelson Agreement (BNA). The BNA is the collective bargaining agreement between the Hydro Projects Management Association (representatives for Hydro), and The Allied Hydro Council of Manitoba (representatives for all participating unions to the agreement).

Employers will begin the process of hiring workers by placing a job order.  Once the job order has been approved, the system will match the needs of the employer to individuals registered with the Job Referral Service (JRS). The employer will make hiring decisions once they have interviewed potential candidates from this list.

The JRS does not have the authority, under the BNA to participate in the selection and recruitment of workers on the Wuskwatim Project.

Hiring Requirements

To comply with the hiring considerations outlined in the BNA, the JRS will refer qualified workers to an employer in the following order:

1. Qualified northern Aboriginals who live within the Churchill/Burntwood/Nelson River (CBNR) area and surrounding areas as defined in the BNA (see below), and members of the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation who live in Manitoba
2. Qualified northern residents living north of the Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs boundary who are members of a union involved in the project
3. Qualified northern Aboriginals living north of the Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs boundary but NOT within the CBNR region and surrounding areas as defined in the BNA (see below)
4. Qualified northern Manitobans living north of the Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs boundary
5. Qualified Manitoba union members
6. Qualified Manitoba workers

Qualified Aboriginals living in the CBNR region and surrounding areas as defined in the BNA include:

1. The area from Granville Lake downstream to Hudson Bay;
2. The area from South Indian Lake downstream to Split Lake;
3. The area from the outlet of Lake Winnipeg downstream to Hudson Bay;
4. And, the following communities:
• South Indian Lake
• Granville Lake
• Nelson House
• Ilford
• Wabowden
• Thicket Portage
• Pikwitonei
• Norway House
• Cross Lake

And, the towns of:

• Leaf Rapids
• Churchill
• Gillam

And, the City of:

• Thompson

And:

• Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation
• Tataskweyak Cree Nation
• York Factory First Nation
• Fox Lake First Nation
• War Lake First Nation
• Norway House Cree Nation
• Cross Lake First Nation

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For Employers

The Process for Hiring Employees

Employers awarded a Wuskwatim construction contract from Manitoba Hydro must hire employees using the Wuskwatim Job Referral Service. There is an exemption outlined in the current BNA which allows Manitoba Hydro to award a non-tendered contract directly to a northern Manitoba Aboriginal employer whose employees are all northern residents of Aboriginal ancestry.

Information for (Contractors) Employers

If Manitoba Hydro has given you a construction contract, you will receive training to use the Wuskwatim Job Referral Service. You will also be given support documents and manuals with detailed information on how to place job orders for employees.

Bidding for Work

Throughout the six-year construction period, Manitoba Hydro will require many services and materials to build the access road to the camp and worksite, to maintain the camp and to build the generating station.

Manitoba Hydro will award numerous contracts to many employers and will continue to tender bids for a number of services throughout the duration of the project. If you are interested in bidding for work, refer to Manitoba Hydro’s website for more information. You can also contact Manitoba Hydro’s Purchasing Department in Winnipeg at 204- 474-3005 or e-mail an inquiry to purchasing@hydro.mb.ca.

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