Empowering Indigenous Communities Through Education, Industry Partnerships & Real-World Project Delivery
The Indigenous Skilled Trades Alliance (ISTA) delivers an integrated service model that bridges education, employment, industry partnerships, and community infrastructure development. Through our strategic collaboration with United Cree—a 100% Indigenous-owned leader in heavy equipment, construction, modular infrastructure, and drilling operations—we offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to strengthen Indigenous workforce capacity and support sustainable development across communities.
Our combined ecosystem ensures Indigenous learners gain world-class training, hands-on site experience, and direct access to employment opportunities in high-demand trades and industry sectors.
Skilled Trades Training & Workforce Development
ISTA provides culturally grounded, industry-aligned trades training programs that prepare Indigenous youth and adults for meaningful careers.
Our Training Services Include:
-
Pre-employment trades programs
-
Plumbing technician training
-
Construction fundamentals
-
Alternative energy & green technology
-
Environmental innovation & land stewardship
-
Safety training & job-readiness development
-
Mentorship, apprenticeship pathways, and career coaching
Through our partnership with United Cree, learners gain exposure to real project environments, equipment operation contexts, and career pathways across construction, mining, resource development, and industrial sectors.
Building Capacity Through Education, Industry Collaboration & Community Empowerment
ISTA’s services are designed to strengthen Indigenous workforce readiness while supporting real-world project delivery in partnership with Indigenous-owned enterprises like United Cree. By aligning culturally grounded training with industry-driven opportunities, ISTA helps communities build the skilled workforce, operational capacity, and economic resilience needed to support long-term development and nation-building.
Industry-Integrated Experience & Employment Pathways
ISTA partners with Indigenous-owned industry leaders like United Cree to provide work-integrated learning experiences and create seamless transitions from training into employment.
Learners Access Opportunities In:
-
Heavy equipment operation
-
Modular construction and fabrication support
-
Field logistics and site services
-
Remote project workforce accommodation
-
Infrastructure development projects
-
Surface & underground support roles
-
Environmental and geotechnical field operations (where applicable)
United Cree’s operations across Northern Ontario and beyond create valuable employment and mentorship opportunities for ISTA participants.
Heavy Equipment Services & Operations Support
Delivered in partnership with United Cree
United Cree brings a sophisticated fleet of industrial equipment and operational capabilities that enable both training exposure and community development capacity.
Equipment & Operations Provided Through the Partnership:
-
Excavators
-
Dozers
-
Wheel loaders
-
Articulated rock trucks
-
Graders
-
Packers & rollers
-
Site support vehicles
These assets support ISTA learners in understanding heavy equipment environments while enabling Indigenous communities to access services required for infrastructure, land development, remediation, and construction projects.
Modular Construction & Remote Infrastructure Solutions
Delivered by United Cree as part of the ISTA partnership ecosystem
United Cree’s modular manufacturing and prefabrication capabilities allow Indigenous communities to access:
-
Workforce housing units
-
Portable classrooms & training facilities
-
Remote worksite infrastructure
-
Modular commercial & institutional buildings
-
Temporary and permanent camp solutions
These modular solutions allow ISTA programming to extend into remote regions, while also powering community-driven building and economic development projects.
Community Infrastructure Support & Capacity Building
ISTA and United Cree jointly empower communities by connecting trades training with real development needs.
Support Services Include:
-
Community project planning support
-
Workforce mobilization strategies
-
Training-to-project pipelines
-
Remote community development solutions
-
Equipment operation support for community projects
This model ensures communities don’t just receive training—they gain the capacity to build, maintain, and sustain long-term infrastructure and economic opportunities.
Drilling, Environmental & Resource-Sector Support Services
Enabled through United Cree’s drilling operations
Where relevant, ISTA participants may gain exposure to field contexts connected to:
-
Environmental drilling
-
Geotechnical site investigations
-
Sonic and helicopter-access drilling
-
Surface & underground core sampling
-
Industrial support services
This aligns well with ISTA’s environmental innovation initiatives and prepares learners for work in exploration, environmental remediation, and land-use planning.
Why These Services Matter
Together, ISTA and United Cree create a complete workforce development pathway:
Education → Industry Experience → Employment → Community Capacity → Long-term Prosperity
This partnership model ensures Indigenous youth and adults:
-
Develop skills that translate directly to employment
-
Gain access to real-world mentorship and job placements
-
Build experience in sectors essential to community development
-
Participate in meaningful nation-building work
-
Strengthen the self-sufficiency and resilience of their communities
Build With Us
Whether you are a community leader, an industry partner, or a learner exploring the skilled trades, ISTA offers pathways that honor Indigenous heritage while opening new doors to economic opportunity.
