Cook/medic school for aboriginals in north Ontario

HEARST—A new Liaison College school has opened in the Eagle’s Earth Cree and Ojibway Historical Centre near Hearst, owned by Constance Lake First Nation, to train students to become cooks/medics in remote northern camps.

The program is open to anyone, but its expected that First Nation aboriginals will make up the majority of the students.The Centre has classroom facilities and a complete commercial kitchen.

A release from Liaison College says there are many job openings for First Nations people in remote camps because most companies exploring for natural resources must commit to hiring local aboriginal people as part of their land use agreements.

Federal funds are available to help pay training costs for the course, which takes 12 weeks.

The school is teaching emergency and standard first aid as well as providing chef training because “cooks typically also fill the role of medics in remote camps,” says the release, which also stated that salaries for the combined position range from $50,000 to $80,000 a year.

This is Liaison College’s 11th school.The franchisee company running the school is PT & Associates Hospitality Services, a partnership of Paul Leatham, Terry Costello and John Sansone.

PT president Paul Leatham has 30 years hospitality industry experience, including both management and training roles. He has worked in all aspects of foodservice, in both casual and fine dining establishments. He is certified for occupational first aid level 3.

Partner Costello has more than 30 years experience in foodservice and has written many food safety manuals used in casual dining chains in North America.He has spent the past six years developing techniques for safe operation of kitchen in remote locations.He has worked both as a cook and first aid attendant. He also has level 3 certification in occupational first aid.