Eleven of B.C.’s colleges and universities will receive more than $3.9 million from the B.C. government for programs and activities that will enhance Aboriginal learners’ post-secondary education and training experiences and outcomes, Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk announced today.

“We want to make sure that Aboriginal students in British Columbia have the means to fulfil their educational and employment goals,” said Virk. “The Aboriginal Service Plans are a way to bring together post-secondary institutions and Aboriginal communities to provide the education and training needed to take advantage of economic opportunities.”

The funding supports Aboriginal Service Plans, which are developed co-operatively by post-secondary institutions and Aboriginal communities, organizations and institutes. Programs funded through the plans include elders-in-residence, cultural learning, mentoring, development of partnerships with Aboriginal communities and organizations, and program development and delivery.

“B.C.’s Aboriginal youth population is one of our fastest-growing populations. Ensuring they have access to post-secondary education and training is important to our labour-market needs over the next decade,” said John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. “That is why we are taking a proactive approach to encouraging Aboriginal enrolment in post-secondary education.”

Aboriginal Service Plans are part of the ministry’s Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education Training Policy and Framework and Action Plan launched in 2012. Progress to date on the 2020 goals has included an increase in credentials awarded to Aboriginal learners from 2,634 in 2009/10 to 3,010 in 2011/12.

The Policy Framework and Action Plan also aims to increase the percentage of Aboriginal youth making the transition from K-12 to post-secondary education to 90% from the 2011/12 rate of 67%. A progress report on the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education Training Policy and Framework and Action Plan is now available.

Aboriginal Service Plans are part of the ongoing activities to support the Aboriginal Policy Framework and Action Plan’s goal of systemic change - ensuring that the public post-secondary education system is relevant, responsive, respectful and receptive to Aboriginal learners and communities, and that relationships between public post-secondary institutions and Aboriginal communities are based on mutual respect. 

Quick Facts:

• Currently, 23 out of 25 post-secondary institutions have Aboriginal representation on their boards - this is up from 11 out of 25.
• The Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training Policy Framework and Action Plan aims to increase the number of credentials awarded to Aboriginal students to 4,609 by 2020/21.
• In 2012/13, over 3,000 credentials were awarded to Aboriginal students, an increase of 16.5 percent over 2009/10.

Learn More:

Aboriginal post-secondary education and training in B.C.: www.aved.gov.bc.ca/aboriginal/

Report on 2013 progress under the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education Training Policy and Framework and Action Plan:  https://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/aboriginal/docs/Aboriginal_Policy_framework_report_out_2013.pdf

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Michelle Hynes
Communications
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 356-7876

Robin Platts
Communications Manager
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 387-1204

BACKGROUNDER

Aboriginal learners benefit from post-secondary supports

Aboriginal Service Plans are integral to the Ministry’s Aboriginal Post-secondary Education and Training Policy Framework and Action Plan.

The Aboriginal Service Plans have resulted in stronger working relationships between B.C. public post-secondary institutions and Aboriginal community partners. They facilitate projects that improve access, participation and success rates of Aboriginal learners.

The 11 institutions that have received funding for Aboriginal Service Plans are:

• Camosun College
• Capilano University
• College of New Caledonia
• Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
• North Island College
• Northwest Community College
• Thompson Rivers University
• University of Northern British Columbia
• University of Victoria
• Vancouver Community College
• Vancouver Island University

Media Contacts:

Michelle Hynes
Communications
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 356-7876

Robin Platts
Communications Manager
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 387-1204