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

• Creating a true and lasting vision of reconciliation is anchored by a cross-government commitment to adopt and implement UNDRIP and the TRC’s Calls to Action. The Province is funding the first Indigenous Law Program in the country at the University of Victoria. The $2.2 million in operating funding over the first two years (starting in 2019) will support a program that will cover areas such as environmental protection, Indigenous governance, economic development, housing, child protection and education.
• Working through the Aboriginal Community Based Partnership program, almost $4 million is being invested over the next three years to support the delivery of community-based training and education through colleges and universities on Vancouver Island, including at:
  • Pacheedaht First Nation
  • Cowichan Tribes and Stz’uminus First Nation
  • Songhees Nation

Making post-secondary education more affordable:

• Graduate students on Vancouver Island can apply for $2.6 million in new graduate scholarships, part of a new $12-million scholarship fund to advance research and innovation in B.C. Funding provided, by institution:
  • Royal Roads: $180,000
  • Vancouver Island University: $180,000
  • University of Victoria: $2.25 million
• The Province is working to increase access to post-secondary education in the fast-growing communities of the West Shore and Sooke by providing Royal Roads with $250,000 (on behalf of the three public post-secondary institutions on southern Vancouver Island) to manage the development of a report for potential program delivery options in Langford.

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

• The Province is investing more than $1 million in industry-standard training equipment, ranging from hand tools to heavy duty mechanic and auto mechanic equipment, to give trades and tech students at Camosun College, North Island College and Vancouver Island University the skills needed to succeed. Funding provided, by institution:
  • Camosun College: $500,000
  • North Island College: $310,455
  • Vancouver Island University: $310,455
• Women studying computer science, math and engineering at public post-secondary institutions throughout Vancouver Island can now apply for a $10,000 scholarship to continue their studies.
• Students are getting more support as they gain real life, on-the-job training through a $375,000 investment in co-op education and work-integrated learning opportunities at Island public post-secondary institutions.
• School districts throughout the Island received almost $1 million in 2018 to buy new tools and equipment to give high school students a taste of the trades by upgrading classrooms and workshops.
• The Province is providing more than $500,000 to North Island College and Vancouver Island University to develop training curriculum that will be made available to institutions throughout the province.
• In 2017-18, $13.4 million was invested in 4,616 trades training seats to give trades students on Vancouver Island the skills they need to succeed in careers where employees are in high demand, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical and power engineering. Funding and number of seats, by institution:
  • Camosun College: $5.8 million for 2,427 seats
  • North Island College: $2.7 million for 800 seats
  • Vancouver Island University: $4.9 million for 1,389 seats

Early childhood education and health care:

• B.C. is investing $1.7 million to create 178 new health-care assistant seats at Camosun College and North Island College to increase staffing levels in residential care facilities and community care sectors. Number of seats and funding, by institution:
  • Camosun College: 108 seats, $1.1 million
  • North Island College: 70 seats, $591,000
• To help ensure there are trained professionals available to care for children, additional seats in early childhood education programs are being added. Number of seats, by institution:
  • Camosun College: 16 seats
  • North Island College: 24 seats