“Indspired” by Today’s Young Leaders

Canada’s Aboriginal People are important neighbours to Shell in many communities where we operate across the country, and Canada’s fastest growing workforce population.

Since 1987, Shell has been involved with Indspire, the largest non-governmental funder of Indigenous education, investing over $3.3 million to support a variety of programs, most recently Industry in the Classroom: Careers in Oil & Gas.

On February 12, Shell Canada Country Chair Michael Crothers joined hundreds from across Canada at the 2016 Indspire Awards: Celebrating Indigenous Achievement, recognizing Indigenous professionals and youth who demonstrate outstanding achievement. Through their achievements, these individuals promote self-esteem and pride for Indigenous communities and make outstanding role models for Indigenous youth.

“It is a privilege for Shell to work closely with these amazing talented young Indigenous leaders to advance valuable programs, and to create opportunities to showcase the great contributions they are making in their communities and to Canada overall,” Michael said.

In total 14 people received awards, from exemplary youth leaders and prominent sports figures like Montreal Canadians’ Carey Price to spiritual and cultural advocates like Jim O'Chiese.

More than 1,500 people attended the event, including guests of Shell from the company’s eight stakeholder communities.

Industry in the Classroom: Careers in Oil and Gas.

The event provided an excellent opportunity for Shell to introduce some 150 youth to its Industry in the Classroom: Careers in Oil & Gas module, which launched in 2014.

“Education is an essential tool to unlocking the tremendous potential of youth,” Michael says. “This program, delivered through our partnership with Indspire, is aimed at the needs of

Indigenous youth and helping them to realize their potential.”

Since its launch, Shell has supported or facilitated 40 sessions for roughly 500 students between 15 and 19 in communities near our operations. There are now 30 facilitators trained, with at least 10 sessions per year committed in 2016 and 2017.

Lambton College Associate Dean of Apprenticeship & Trades Training Jeff Murrell witnessed the positive impact the program can have for students. “The sessions went very well here,” he said. “Some participants indicated that Industry in the Classroom was their favorite session of the week and everyone rated it highly.”

Murrell said the module was helpful in the students’ ability to gain a more informed and well-rounded view of the oil and gas industry. “One of the young men who was only 16-years-old said he should stop complaining about pipelines and get an education that leads to a job so he can solve the issues with pipelines,” he said. “Through the Industry in the Classroom: Careers in Oil and Gas module, he gained an entirely new perspective.”

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2015, Shell Canada was certified Gold in Progressive Aboriginal Relations?