Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk met with students at the University of Victoria during a tour of the faculty of engineering where he was joined by representatives of the metal and mining industry from Rio Tinto Alcan.

Public post-secondary institutions are receiving $10.5 million for the planning and changes needed to transition English as a Second Language (ESL) programs to a new model where immigrant settlement services are directly administered by the federal government.

The Government of British Columbia announced close to $5.6 million for 27 community-based education and training programs for Aboriginal learners around B.C.

Aboriginal learners in British Columbia's Interior region are training for careers in fields ranging from the hospitality and health-care industries to business and governance through local partnership agreements that provide hands-on and classroom training.

Aboriginal learners on Vancouver Island are gaining new skills that will prepare them for possible careers that include the hospitality sector, forest stewardship, or the pulp and paper industry.

A community-based approach to education and training will enable Aboriginal learners in the Lower Mainland to access training that will help prepare them for further education, and develop skills for careers in the trades.

Aboriginal learners in British Columbia's northern communities are developing their job skills in a wide variety of fields - including construction and mining - with support from community-based education and training partnership programs.