In March 198 Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw community members completed a survey about their work experience, educational achievements and goals, readiness to get a job, etc. The results are slowly being analyzed to give staff a better idea of how to address the needs of the community. In the meantime, here are some interesting facts from the survey:
Results from the Human Resources Survey:
Total # surveyed: 198 people (170 Registered Band Members)
Median age: 33.5 yrs (All respondents were over 15 years old)
Unemployment rate: 59.6% of respondents
Total # on Social Assistance: 39.4% of respondents
Total with dependents: 62% of respondents
Average # of dependents: 1.75
Total with Grade 12 or higher: 28% of respondents (Grade 12 with Dogwood)
Total with University Degree: 4 people (All Bachelor degrees)
Total with any computer skills: 87% of respondents
Total with advanced computer skills: 12.1% of respondents
Industries in Which Respondents Have the Most Experience (Percentage of Total Respondents):
1. Sports (56.3%)
2. Fisheries (52.1%)
3. First Nations Traditional Skills (47.2%)
4. Maintenance (39.6%)
5. Food & Beverage (32.1%)
6. Construction (31.6%)
Industries Which Respondents Are Interested In (Percentage of Total Respondents):
1. Physical & Life Sciences (chemist, biologist, geologist, etc.)(81.3%)
2. Engineering (81.1%)
3. Government (79.7%)
4. Precision/Fabrication Machinery (73.5%)
5. Research (67.5%)
6. Forestry (67.1)
7. Transportation (67.1%)
8. Heavy Machinery (66.9%)
9. Hospitality (63%)
10. Sales & Marketing (58.8%)
11. Business & Finance (58.4%)
Census 2006 Results for the Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nations for Comparison:
Total population: 435 people (235 male / 195 female)
Total population 15 years and over: 270 people (145 male / 125 female)
Total population in the labour force: 120 people (80 male / 45 female)
Median age: 19.7 years
Unemployment rate: 37.5% of labour force (50% for males / 22.2% for females)
Prepared by Jessie Hemphill
Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Executive Assistant & Communications Officer
(250) 949-8343 / jessieh@gwanakplan.org