Pipeline unveils website to connect supply chain
Northern Gateway has set up an online database with the aim of connecting job seekers and business owners with contractors on their proposed pipeline project.
Although the project has yet to be approved by the federal government and has faced opposition from the provincial government, environmental groups and First Nations, the company believes the time is right to begin soliciting interest in job and contracting opportunities.
"Our real intention is to connect with local communities and individuals who have an interest in working not only on this project but within the larger sector," Northern Gateway senior manager of community benefits and sustainability Catherine Pennington said. "We ultimately want to connect local community members who have an interest and skills to our contractors and hopefully in the future with our project."
Individuals, small and medium sized businesses and large regional businesses who may have an interest in working on the pipeline project, which aims to connect Alberta's oilsands with an export terminal in Kitimat, can sign up online. Some of the jobs could be during the field testing phase, while others would begin once construction gets underway.
For individuals, Pennington said Northern Gateway aims to connect them with future contractors. For businesses, the company's supply chain management group will study how each business might be able to contribute to the project.
While the timing of any work projects depend on when and if the project is approved, Pennington said the company will keep in touch with prospective vendors through regular emails.
In addition to soliciting possible future employment opportunities, Pennington said the database will also help Northern Gateway judge the skills available in the region, which is one of the 209 conditions the Joint Review Panel placed on the project when it gave a conditional approval in December.
"It gives us a pretty good insight into the regional skills and capacity so that we can then inform our skills training and business development programming to meet the needs of the local area," she said.
In order to meet the condition, Northern Gateway must submit an aboriginal, local, regional skills and business capacity inventory with the National Energy Board at least six months prior to any construction activities.
More information is available by visiting http://www.gatewayfacts.ca/benefits/opportunities.
There is no deadline to sign up and Pennington said the database will be used throughout the life of the project.