Allison Strong is the marketing and communications coordinator for Optek Solutions. (Submitted photo/Allison Strong)

By Derek Cornet

skills development

Mentorship program aims to boost number of IT technicans in Athabasca region

Dec 8, 2023 | 2:00 PM

The Spark Mentorship Program offered by Optek Solutions is looking for candidates for its upcoming information technology (IT) certification course.

That’s according to Allison Strong, the marketing and communications coordinator for Optek Solutions. She explained the program is in its second year and it aims to increase the number of Indigenous people employed in the IT sector.

“There’s currently a strong demand for IT support professionals,” Strong said.

“The Spark Mentorship Program is a program that allows students from the Athabasca region… It’s an IT mentorship program directed towards helping Indigenous students who are interested in IT in hopes of creating more certified IT technicians who can work remotely in their home communities.”

Lac La Ronge Indian Band members are also encouraged to apply.

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The program begins the first week in January 2024 and includes a 12-week online program that leads to a Google IT Support Professional Certificate, which is respected in the workforce worldwide. Following successful completion of the course, the program also includes a 12-week paid practicum placement working with Optek support analysts. It is hoped the entire program will lead to full-time employment.

“We have mentors who just help them learn the ropes, teach them things they need to know without just throwing them into the job,” Strong noted.

“They would work with the businesses in the region since a lot of them in Athabasca, right now, they would hire an IT technician outside of Athabasca to fly in, while we are trying to create more opportunities for the residents to be the IT technicians and just stay in the communities and work with the businesses in the area.”

The program is open to residents in the communities of Black Lake, Camsell Portage, Fond du Lac, Hatchet Lake, Stony Rapids, Uranium City and Wollaston Lake. Those interested in applying must do so by the Dec. 31 deadline and they can do so online here.

Optek Solutions is an Indigenous-owned IT company that specializes in IT support solutions advisory services in Saskatchewan. The Spark Mentorship Program is delivered in partnership with Prince Albert Grand Council, Ya’ thi Néné Lands and Resources, Kitsaki Management Limited Partnership and Athabasca Basin Development.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com