NORTH COWICHAN - Almost $11 million in investments is supporting two programs for Aboriginal learners in British Columbia, giving them more opportunities to gain credentials and develop important work skills as they prepare to enter B.C.'s labour market.

The Aboriginal Community-based Delivery Partnerships Program (ACBDPP) was first announced in June 2012 as part of the Aboriginal Post-secondary Education and Training Framework and Action Plan. ACBDPP is a two-year program that encourages education partnerships between public post-secondary institutions and Aboriginal institutes and communities.

Funding includes $7 million in provincial and Canada - British Columbia Labour Market Agreement funding, along with $2 million through Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's Active Measures Program. Thirty-one partnerships deliver programs for Aboriginal learners throughout B.C. in a diverse range of specializations, from skills training for employment in the oil and natural gas sectors to training that leads to certification as a teacher of indigenous languages.

An additional $1.9 million for B.C.'s Aboriginal Training for Employment Program (ATEP) will provide funding for 14 programs with Aboriginal-controlled organizations and service providers to deliver job-related training in essential skills and introductory trades training along with mentoring, coaching and support for students.

Since it was introduced in 2010, investment in ATEP has exceeded $8.6 million through the Canada - British Columbia Labour Market Agreement. By December 2012, nearly 900 Aboriginal people had completed ATEP programs offered by Aboriginal organizations throughout B.C.

Under the BC Jobs Plan, government is committed to providing funding for community-based delivery of programs that meet Aboriginal learners' needs.

Quotes:

Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada -

"The Government of Canada is pleased to support community based training opportunities for Aboriginal individuals through the Aboriginal Community-Based Delivery Partnership Program. This investment with our provincial partners is a practical measure to help First Nations youth reach their potential and participate more fully in Canada's economy."

Ralph Sultan, Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology -

"By improving access to education, skills and trades training for Aboriginal students through programs like ATEP and the Aboriginal Community-based Delivery Partnerships Program, we can help Aboriginal communities to take advantage of economic opportunities, and support B.C.'s labour market."

Ida Chong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation -

"The skills that learners acquire in both programs will be vital to their future success. By facilitating and encouraging access to post-secondary education and training programs, Aboriginal communities and post-secondary institutions will play an important role in meeting B.C.'s labour market needs, and supporting the BC Jobs Plan."

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour -

"Building a skilled workforce in British Columbia is a key commitment for this government. With more than one million job openings expected across the province by 2020, we need to ensure that British Columbians have the skills and training they need to be first in line for the many opportunities coming our way."

Quick Facts:

• The Aboriginal Community-based Delivery Partnerships Program is accessible by Aboriginal learners who are 18 years or older and living in B.C.

• To be eligible for ATEP, participants must be of Aboriginal heritage, 18 years or older, unemployed and not receiving EI benefits, or employed but without a high school diploma.

• Nearly 25,000 students a year who enrol in public post-secondary education identify themselves as Aboriginal.

• In 2010, over 2,700 credentials were awarded to Aboriginal students - a 17 per cent increase over 2007.

• Under the Labour Market Agreement (LMA), the Government of Canada is providing the B.C. government approximately $66 million annually until 2013-14 to fund employment and skills training programs and services for employed people who are low-skilled and for unemployed individuals who are not eligible for Employment Insurance.

• As a direct result of federal LMA funding, thousands of British Columbians are receiving training that will advance their careers, assist in securing new employment and ultimately improve the social and economic outcomes of individuals in B.C. and Canada.

Learn More:

Aboriginal Training for Employment Program and Aboriginal Community-based Delivery Partnerships Program: www.aved.gov.bc.ca/aboriginal/programs.htm

Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement: www.aved.gov.bc.ca/labourmarketagreement/

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

BC Skills and Training Plan: www.bcjobsplan.ca/skills/

During the month of November 2012, the B.C. government asked for ideas from citizens on the topic of building a skilled workforce. See what government is doing to put ideas into action: www.bcjobsplan.ca/ideas-to-actions/

Two backgrounders follow.

Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology
250 952-6400

BACKGROUNDER 1

Aboriginal Community-based Delivery Partnerships Program (ACBDPP)

ACBDPP was introduced as part of the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training Policy Framework and Action Plan in 2012. Funding for this two-year program is being provided through the governments of British Columbia and Canada ($2 million from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology; $5 million from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement [LMA]); and $1 million in 2012-13 and $2 million in 2013-14 from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

ACBDPP partnership agreements to deliver programs for Aboriginal learners in British Columbia:

Partners: Northern Lights College & Seabird Island Band
Funding: $337,327
Program summary: Aboriginal oil and gas field operators - dual credit ABE and Adult Dogwood graduation diploma at Seabird College in Agassiz, followed by oil and gas field operator certificate training by NLC in Agassiz, and simulated oil and gas training in Fort St. John.

Partners: Vancouver Island University & Cowichan Tribes
Funding: $261,667
Program summary: Welder "C" - certificate delivered at Pacific Energy adjacent to Cowichan Tribes in Duncan, and CORE training module of essential skills, math, English, career development and transition to employment.

Partners: Vancouver Island University & Cowichan Tribes
Funding: $213,943
Program summary: Applied business technology - administrative assistant - certificate of applied business technology and CORE training module of essential skills, math, English, career development and transition to employment.

Partners: Vancouver Island University & Cowichan Tribes
Funding: $194,967
Program summary: Health care assistant - health care assistant Aboriginal focus and CORE training of essential skills, math, English, career development and transition to employment.

Partners: Vancouver Island University & Heiltsuk Nation
Funding: $295,109
Program summary: Program offers certificate in event management to train Heiltsuk community coordinators for the upcoming Tribal Journeys Qatuwas 2014.

Partners: University of Victoria & Kwakiutl Band
Funding: $143,660
Program summary: Kwak'wala/Bak'wamk'ala developmental standard term certificate. Funding will support coursework leading to Bachelor of Education in indigenous language revitalization.

Partners: BCIT, Vancouver Native Friendship Centre & Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services
Funding: $324,840
Program summary: Piping foundations for urban Aboriginal learners - includes essential skills component followed by foundation program laddering to level 1 plumbing apprenticeship with guided work search and job coaching.

Partners: BCIT & Musqueam Indian Band
Funding: $480,518
Program summary: Carpentry foundations -includes Skill Plan/BC Construction Industry Improvement Council essential skills component leading to carpentry foundations.

Partners: North Island College & Tseshaht First Nation
Funding: $342,957
Program summary: Bridge to Success program - prepares First Nations participants for employment in the forestry industry and works in conjunction with Catalyst Paper to hire entry-level trades employees.

Partners: Okanagan College & Okanagan Indian Band
Funding: $158,443
Program summary: Aboriginal Access - education and employment access program has three streams including pre-employment training, essential skills and adult academic and career preparation.

Partners: College of New Caledonia & Lheidli T'enneh First Nation
Funding: $215,555
Program summary: Community education program - includes career exploration and planning, job readiness skills training, industry certificates, and adult basic education and relevant training to enter positions at mills, mining exploration camps and with contractors as labourers and clean-up crew for construction sites at mines.

Partners: College of New Caledonia & Burns Lake Band
Funding: $290,324
Program summary: Heavy equipment operator program - skills and education to enter positions as heavy equipment operator in various fields and industries such as construction, mining and oil and gas. In addition, participants will also receive a number of industry certificates upon successful completion of each course.

Partners: College of New Caledonia & Nak'azdli Band
Funding: $160,214
Program summary: Career and college prep capacity building program - participants receive a CNC career preparation certificate for the ABE level that they complete (fundamental, intermediate or advanced). Those who complete the necessary coursework will obtain a BC Adult Graduation Diploma (Adult Dogwood).

Partners: College of New Caledonia & Saik'uz First Nation
Funding: $232,022
Program summary: Carpentry foundation program, essential Skills training, academic upgrading, and industry certifications are included in the Building for the Future Program that will provide Saik'uz First Nation participants with the skills and education necessary for entry level positions in the construction trades.

Partners: North Island College & Port Alberni Friendship Centre
Funding: $250,726
Program summary: Aboriginal health care assistant program - delivers a culturally-supportive opportunity for Aboriginal students to develop careers in health care field in a short-term intensive program that will provide completion of a full health care assistant certificate, along with opportunities for upgrading throughout the program.

Partners: Nicola Valley Institute of Technology & Lower Similkameen Indian Band
Funding: $345,300
Program summary: Training for success - includes four training streams: agriculture, mining, environmental restoration, and teacher training with a focus on Nsyilxc?n (Okanagan) language.

Partners: Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, En'owkin Centre and Okanagan Nation
Funding: $315,070
Program summary: Program focus on helping participants achieve BC Adult Dogwood certificate and enter the workforce, or ladder into programs in the fields of language teaching, early childhood education, environmental technician, indigenous studies, fine arts and human service worker.

Partners: Thompson Rivers University & Seabird Island Band
Funding: $576,043
Program summary: Road builders/heavy equipment operator - BC Adult Dogwood certificate, cultural training, employment readiness and essential skills.

Partners: Thompson Rivers University & Lakes District Aboriginal Training Employment Society Initiative
Funding: $476,780
Program summary: Program includes four training components: BC Adult Dogwood certificate, introduction to trades, construction craft worker foundation training, and on-the-job training with industry partner (Enbridge Northern Gateway).

Partners: College of the Rockies & Ktunaxa Nation
Funding: $361,406
Program summary: Bridging Education to Employment Program includes four pathways to employment: health careers, trades, tourism hospitality and internal economy. Participants will have the opportunity to gain BC adult Dogwood certificate, College of the Rockies post-secondary course credits, industry certificates, non-credit College of the Rockies courses, and traditional knowledge.

Partners: Kwantlen Polytechnic University & Squamish Nation
Funding: $133,220
Program summary: Carpentry foundations and restoration certificate programs will help Squamish Nation students find employment. Graduates of carpentry foundations will be prepared to take carpentry level 2.

Partners: North Island College & Quatsino, Namgis and Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw First Nations
Funding: $222,536
Program summary: Program consists of four weeks essential skills training, eight weeks of job readiness training, and seven weeks of pulp orientation, and prepares First Nations learners for employment with Neucel Speciality Cellulose.

Partners: University of B.C. & Heiltsuk Nation
Funding: $132,542
Program summary: Native Indian Teacher Education Program provides Heiltsuk Nation participants with courses for laddering into the final two years of a Bachelor of Education degree at UBC. Participants will gain the skills and education necessary to enter positions in the teaching fields.

Partners: Thompson Rivers University & Ucwalmicw BC Adult Dogwood Program
Funding: $442,246 -
Program summary: BC Adult Dogwood upgrading program will provide appropriate and relevant training for entry level horticulture, agriculture, and Aboriginal tourism and trades positions and will be delivered at T'it'q'et and Tsal'álh facilities (with participants from Xwísten, Ts'k'wáylaxw, Xaxlip, Sek'wel'wás) near the town of Lillooet.

Partners: Thompson Rivers University & Ucwalmicw Aboriginal Tourism Program
Funding: $451,963 - tourism
Program summary: The Aboriginal Tourism Program will provide training for entry level Aboriginal tourism positions and participants who successfully complete the program will receive math and English ABE courses, Aboriginal Tourism Program Certificate, which includes transferable credit toward TRU's diploma and bachelor programs in tourism and a number of Tourism Industry-recognized certificates.

Partners: Thompson Rivers University & Ucwalmicw Community Garden
Funding: $502,570
Program summary: The Ucwalmicw Centre Community Garden Horticulture Certificate provides relevant training for entry level the fields of community garden, horticulture and agriculture positions and included industry-recognised certificates, and Math & English Upgrading.

Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology
250 952-6400

BACKGROUNDER 2

Aboriginal Training for Employment Program (ATEP)

ATEP was introduced in 2010 with an investment of $4 million through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement (LMA). As of the end of December 2012, $8.6M had been invested and more than 900 Aboriginal people had graduated from ATEP programs offered by 35 Aboriginal organizations.

The following service providers have agreements with the Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology to deliver programs for Aboriginal learners in British Columbia:

Proponent: North East Native Advancing Society
Award: $150,000
Community: Fort St. John
Project summary: Provide specific industry training and safety certificates, skills and career exploration for 15 participants entering or re-entering workforce in B.C's Northeast region.

Proponent: Lower Stl'atl'imx Tribal Council
Award: $149,856
Community: Pemberton
Project summary: The Prepare for Employment, Entrepreneurship and Lifelong Learning program focuses on a 10-week program with onsite and online class instruction followed by 24 weeks of professional support for 15 participants and job coaching while participants are employed.

Proponent: Heiltsuk Tribal Council
Award: $90,000
Community: Bella Bella
Project summary: The Heiltsuk Tribal Council will train and hire 10 youth as special events and festivals management community coordinators to research, plan and implement a major international event called Qatuwas "People Gathering Together" 2014.

Proponent: Ktunaxa Nation
Award: $146,642
Community: Cranbrook
Project summary: Ktunaxa Nation working with Calamity Creek Guide Outfitters, Tipi Mountain Native Plants & Eco Cultural Services are committed to provide adventure and eco tourism training with a cultural context to 15 participants.

Proponent: Icon Heavy Construction
Award: $150,000
Community: Prince Rupert
Project summary: With the Gitxaala Nation, provide trades job-related training to 18 participants and explore employment in various industries.

Proponent: North Vancouver Island Aboriginal Training Society
Award: $150,000
Community: Campbell River
Project summary: The Better Employment Skills Training Program will provide an introduction to the hospitality and services industry for 15 participants to develop an understanding of industry and employer expectations, and develop the skills and certification to enhance industry retention and advancement.

Proponent: Prince George Native Friendship Centre
Award: $150,000
Community: Prince George
Project summary: The program consists of three 16-week sessions for 30 participants (10 per session). Pre-employment training will be a combination of certificate skills enhancement training, essential skills, personal management, employment maintenance, career planning, job search skills and workplace training.

Proponent: NEC Native Education Centre
Award: $84,248
Community: Vancouver
Project summary: NEC delivering semester of the newly revised Applied Business Technology Certificate program to 14 participants.

Proponent: NEC Native Education Centre
Award: $150,000
Community: Vancouver
Project summary: Training for 16 participants to work in various health care industry sectors such as hospitals, long term care facilities, home support agencies, elder care and Aboriginal service organizations. This also provides opportunities for further post secondary education after this program.

Proponent: Cariboo Chilcotin Aboriginal Training Employment Centre Society
Award: $120,000
Community: Anahim Lake
Project summary: Along with SAGE Trainers/Thompson River University, Ulkatcho and West Chilcotin Forest Products have designed a training program that will be delivered on-reserve to 12 participants. The program will provide certificates recognized in the labour market and a job coach will provide 24/7 support to the trainees, ensuring success of the program.

Proponent: Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS)
Award: $150,000
Community: Vancouver
Project summary: The boilermaker foundation program will connect 15 participants with industry-recognized and certified training leading to employment. Graduating participants will have the life skills and technical skills to work as first-year apprentices in the boilermaker trade, basic skills to go on and complete a four-year apprenticeship program in this trade and become Red Seal-certified.

Proponent: First Nations Emergency Services Society (FNESS)
Award: $150,000
Community: Kamloops
Project summary: In partnership with the Aboriginal Business and Community Development Centre (ABDC) and First Nations Technology Council (FNTC) will provide training to 15 participants. ABDC will facilitate a group dynamics training session and FNTC will provide the information technology course delivery for the pre-employment phase.

Proponent: Takla Lake First Nation
Award: $150,000
Community: Prince George
Project summary: In partnership with the College of New Caledonia and the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association will provide pre employment training and support for 16 participants in the forestry, mining and construction industries and the Band Office Administration.

Proponent: Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association (PGNAETA)
Award: $149,999.33
Community: Prince George
Project summary: With the support of CN Rail, Chinook Scaffolding and Fortis BC, PGNAETA will deliver three training intakes to 33 participants in the construction, transportation and the service sector.

Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology
250 952-6400