First Indigenous female Chair on the CAF-FCA Board of Directors

Chair appointed in the Board of Directors of The Canadian Apprenticeship Program

Rebecca Kragnes, Indigenous Business Relations Manager at Bird Construction has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of The Canadian Apprenticeship Program (CAF-FCA).

Former Chair, Lionel Railton served two terms and is looking forward to Kragnes taking control of the role. He stated; “Consultation with Canada’s First Nation communities has long been a critical aspect of CAF-FCA’s work, and the inclusion of Indigenous voices bring valuable insight. Having an indigenous woman sit at the head of the table will support CAF-FCA’s commitment to diversity to inclusion.”

Skilled trades shortage in Canada

With over 25 years of experience in the construction space, Kragnes strengths include, but are not limited to; field work, government administration, as well as advocacy to support the Indigenous community within the construction industry. According to Kragnes; “There is a lot of conversation around the skilled trades shortage in Canada. There is also a huge opportunity to fill this gap within the Indigenous population and other marginalized and equity-deserving groups. We need to connect, train, and provide support systems to potential apprentices, educators, and employers to create space for a new diverse skilled workforce.”

Strengthening presence in the construction space

All of Kragnes past work has been focused around increasing & strengthening the Indigenous community’s presence within the construction space. In her other current role, she is on the Board of Directors for Women Building Futures, an Edmonton based non-profit aiding unemployed women find long-term, well-paying careers. In this way, by using her first-hand experience and knowledge, Kragnes wishes to continue working within the Indigenous community relations to create stronger skills and better career opportunities.