Article & photos provided by Gina Simon, Community Energy Champion

Turtle Island is in trouble. From climate change to oil spills and wildfires, the damage can be seen across the country and we can do our part to lessen our footprint on Mother Aki.

MFN is committed to educating its Citizens of all ages about the potential for solar energy and the basics of electricity. We also are working to better understand how solar PV works, the benefits, and the limitations of a system.

We are asking Citizens to participate in community outreach and STEM activities, such as the MFN Summer ‘Power Up’ Energy Youth Camp.

Recently, MFN Citizens completed an energy survey which affirmed their desire to increase their knowledge of solar and skilled learning opportunities.

The recent workforce training on the skills needed to install and maintain off-grid solar photovoltaics provided by the North American Solar Academy (NASA)  represents an opportunity for employees and Citizens to grow their knowledge base and improve their job skills.

By providing an environment to train and connect with one another by learning together builds on community pride. It also builds on skills required to make for various changes in the energy industry.

Learning and development is a key driver for many people considering new roles or career paths.  A component of the Power Up Program is to provide MFN employees and community Citizens with relevant and consistent training that can help improve performance and efficiency in the workplace.

Training both MFN employees along with MFN Citizens is a win-win says, Community Energy Champion, Gina Simon “you create a trust and a vote of confidence in themselves.”

“The training was organized to help prepare employees and MFN Citizens to move into more responsible roles and taking on more responsibility with potential future energy projects and initiatives” says Gimaa Kwe Pat Tangie.

The 2-day NASA solar training was two-fold, one to bring about awareness of potential skills and interests, and to help the participants learn the skills required to do solar installation.

Another important component was to show MFN Citizens and MFN employees they are valued. By investing in implementing training programs at and in the workplace helps employees feel like the community is invested in them. “You can’t expect people to do a good job, if you don’t continue to teach your employees new skills and abilities.  They will not just become better skilled workers; they will feel like more productive members of the community. The proof was in the morale during the past two days as well” says Simon.

The solar training  reinforces the need for teamwork, partnerships and performance expectations. Most experts will agree it’s a smart move to invest in the career growth opportunities of your workforce to retain their support. Providing them the tools they need to not only succeed in their roles, but to grow.

When a community invests professional resources in their employees and Citizens – they feel valued. By providing high performance, high-potential specialized training, accompanied with hands-on opportunity it pays big dividends through increased knowledge, awareness, confidence and loyalty.

This was an opportunity to show inclusivity when you have MFN community Citizens and MFN employees are paired together, there is a transparent vision of what these additional learning opportunities can provide in terms of career growth, knowledge expansion, cross functional training and more importantly ‘self-determination’.

Limiting global warming will require major transitions in the energy sector. This will involve a substantial reduction in fossil fuel use, widespread electrification, improved energy efficiency, and use of alternative fuels (such as hydrogen).

Since 2010, there have been a sustained decreases of up to 85% in the costs of solar and wind energy, and batteries. An increasing range of policies and laws have enhanced energy efficiency, reduced rates of deforestation and accelerated the deployment of renewable energy.

From here the hope is participants feel support and an opportunity to gain experience and grow. Now they have a better understanding of the power of the sun ‘Keesis’ and know– as MFN Citizens they to can help work toward solutions affecting climate change and lessening our footprint on Mother Aki Earth.

Chief Seattle said it best, “When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money.”

Stay updated with our events on our LES and MFN website. If you would like to participate in the next training or if you are interested in more information contact: g.simon@michipicoten.com.