A new labour market partnership agreement between the Province and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) will help address human resources challenges within Aboriginal non-profit agencies to better provide essential supports to Aboriginal people and families throughout B.C.

Aboriginal non-profit agencies often face complex human resource issues and labour market challenges, such as lower wages and benefits, lack of pensions and high rates of worker turnover. The agreement will help develop a strategy to address these challenges. It will also lead to the development of tools and resources relevant to Aboriginal cultures and communities that address the more standard human resources issues such as recruitment, retention and succession planning.

The Province is investing $611,700 in the two-year agreement, which has a number of major activities, including:

* An analysis of sector employee benefits and pension gap.

* A mentoring and professional development strategy.

* A strategy to improve workplace wellness and work-life balance.

* HR strategies that will strengthen connections with traditional values and culture within HR practices.

The program will run from March 26, 2012 to April 15, 2014.

The Province is also working with key Aboriginal partners, including the BCAAFC, and other levels of government, on an Off-Reserve Aboriginal Action Plan. The plan's goal is to better connect the hundreds of policies and programs B.C. already has in place in order to serve Aboriginal people and families throughout the province.

The labour market partnership agreement between the Province and the BCAAFC will support the approach and the goals of the Off-Reserve Aboriginal Action Plan by helping Aboriginal non-profit agencies to better provide essential supports to B.C.'s off-reserve and urban Aboriginal population.

Quotes:

Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Mary Polak -

"This agreement will help to make B.C.'s Aboriginal non-profit workforce stronger and more sustainable, which will benefit Aboriginal people and families across the province."

Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell -

"This is a very important program for B.C. With the anticipated labour shortage over the next decade, any initiative to improve work conditions for Aboriginal people is of great benefit to employers and those taking part in the program."

Annette Morgan, President, BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres -

"Each day, Aboriginal employment counsellors, health-care workers, child- and family-service providers, housing advocates and drug and alcohol counsellors do incredible work despite limited human resources policies that are commonplace in non-profits.

"This agreement will help the Aboriginal non-profit sector to strengthen itself in tangible and meaningful ways. At the end of this process we will have a very clear understanding of what is needed to enable the Aboriginal non-profit sector to maintain a skilled Aboriginal labour force, and provide ongoing high-quality services that our communities require."

Quick Facts:

* Labour Market Partnerships fund projects that encourage and support employers, employee and/or employer associations and communities in developing and implementing strategies for dealing with labour force adjustments and meeting human resource requirements.

* Over the next decade, British Columbia is projected to have over one million job openings. The BC Jobs Plan will ensure the over $500 million provided annually for labour market and training programs is targeted to meeting regional and industry labour market needs.

* B.C. invests approximately $66 million a year - between 2008 and 2014 - in programs and services that help people get the skills they need to fill job opportunities in regions where they live and study. These programs and services are funded through the Canada-BC Labour Market Agreement.

Learn More:

* For more information on the Canada - British Columbia Labour Market Agreement, visit:

http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/labourmarketagreement/

* Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

* Looking for a one-stop resource for the working world? Visit WorkBC: http://www.workbc.ca/

Contacts:

Maria Wilkie
Communications Director
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 953-3211

Paul Lacerte
Executive Director, BCAAFC
placerte@bcaafc.com
250 388-5522

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect