BC Gov News

Advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) Calls to Action and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP):

• Working through the Aboriginal Community Based Partnership program, more than $4 million is being invested over the next three years to support the delivery of community-based training and education through colleges and universities in the Interior. Courses include British Columbia adult graduation diploma (Adult Dogwood) courses, trades training and environmental resource diplomas in communities including:
  • Ktunaxa Nation
  • Splatsin Indian Band, Adams Lake Band, Little Shuswap Indian Band, Salmon Arm Métis Association, Neskonlith Indian Band
  • Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and Neskonlith Indian Band
  • Penticton Indian Band
  • Lil’wat First Nation
• In B.C.’s ongoing commitment to move UNDRIP and the TRC's Calls to Action forward, the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) received $75,000 to advance its language revitalization work. The funding will help NVIT work as part of a provincial consortium to establish a language-fluency degree framework. This degree will support a new generation of fluent Indigenous speakers.

Making post-secondary education more affordable:

• Adult Basic Education and English Language Learning programs are now tuition-free at public post-secondary institutions throughout the province, which benefits as many as 18,000 students.
• Students need affordable and accessible housing. The Province is creating 533 additional homes for students in a $37-million student housing project at Thompson Rivers University.
• Graduate students at Thompson Rivers University will soon be able to apply for $180,000 in new graduate scholarships, part of a new $12-million scholarship fund to advance research and innovation in B.C.
• Literacy is a vital skill. B.C. is investing $431,000 in partnerships with post-secondary institutions throughout the interior to deliver community adult literacy programs.

Education for a changing world – STEM and the skilled trades:

• With $400,000 in startup funding this year and more ramping up over the next four years, Thompson Rivers University will soon have 140 spaces in a full software engineering program, meaning students will no longer have to transfer to another institution to finish their degree.
• Okanagan College received $250,000 to launch an animation diploma program in September 2017. The Province has also committed to annual funding for 30 spaces. This is part of the 2,900 additional tech seats being created throughout the province.
• The Province invested more than $1.6 million in industry-standard training equipment to give trades and tech students in the Interior the skills needed to succeed, including carpentry, electrical and welding equipment. Funding provided, by institution:
  • Nicola Valley Institute of Technology: $175,342
  • Okanagan College: $310,455
  • Thompson Rivers University: $500,000
  • College of the Rockies: $310,455
  • Selkirk College: $310,455
• Women studying computer science, math and engineering at public post-secondary institutions throughout the Interior can now apply for a $10,000 scholarship to continue their studies.
• Students are gaining real life, on-the-job training through a $375,000 investment in co-op education and work-integrated learning opportunities at Interior public post-secondary institutions.
• In 2017-18, the Province invested $15.9 million to fund 5,690 trades training seats to give trades students in the Interior the skills to succeed in careers where employees are in high demand, including in plumbing, heavy mechanical trades, electrical, millwright and carpentry. Funding and number of seats, by institution:
  • Nicola Valley Institute of Technology: $150,000 for 48 seats
  • Okanagan College: $7.5 million for 2,763 seats
  • Thompson Rivers University: $4.6 million for 1,765 seats
  • College of the Rockies: $1.8 million for 649 seats
  • Selkirk College: $1.8 million for 465 seats

Early childhood education and health care:

• Additional seats in early childhood education programs are being added to help ensure there are trained professionals. Number of seats, by institution:
  • College of the Rockies: 30 seats, doubling its capacity
  • Okanagan College: 26 seats, expanding its diploma program and adding an evening infant and toddler certificate
  • Selkirk College: 12 seats, expanding its capacity

• The Province is providing more than $850,000 to create 126 new health-care assistant seats throughout the Interior to increase staffing levels in residential care facilities and community care sectors. Number of seats and funding, by institution:
  • Okanagan College: 52 seats, $221,000
  • Nicola Valley Institute of Technology: 14 seats, $146,000
  • College of the Rockies: 32 seats, $258,000
  • Selkirk College: 10 seats, $77,000
  • Thompson Rivers University: 18 seats, $155,000